Mohammad Amir Dismisses IPL 2027 Auction Reports After UK Citizenship Move

Former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir has publicly denied reports suggesting he planned to enter the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2027 auction as a British player following his acquisition of UK citizenship. The 34-year-old left-arm pacer addressed the speculation directly on social media, stating that the news regarding his IPL participation was not accurate.

The clarification came shortly after Amir was listed as a British national in the draft register for the Afghanistan Premier League (APL), which was scheduled to take place in Dubai. In that register, Pakistan was noted as his country of residence, and he was placed in the Platinum category, which carries a player fee of $100,000. His appearance on the list under a UK nationality had fueled widespread speculation about a possible route into the IPL.

Amir, who currently resides in England, has been competing as a local player in English domestic competitions, including the T20 Blast and The Hundred. His British citizenship had raised the prospect of following a path similar to former Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood, who obtained a British passport and went on to play for Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders between 2012 and 2015, despite restrictions on Pakistani players in the league.

His registration for the APL as a UK national could also allow him to take part without requiring a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which has historically been a requirement for Pakistani players seeking to feature in foreign leagues. The PCB's clearance process has often been a point of contention in player participation abroad.

The APL draft has drawn interest from more than 30 Pakistani cricketers, including Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Hasan Ali, Shan Masood, Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf and Imad Wasim. However, their participation remains uncertain amid diplomatic tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Reports indicate that the PCB is unlikely to issue NOCs, while the Afghanistan Cricket Board has maintained that Pakistani players must obtain clearance from the PCB before taking part.

Amir's denial puts to rest, for now, the speculation surrounding a possible IPL return. The fast bowler, who retired from international cricket, continues to feature in franchise and domestic leagues, with his British citizenship opening new avenues in competitions where Pakistani nationals have faced entry barriers in recent years.