Ex-Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir breaks silence on IPL 2027 auction entry report
Former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir has responded to reports suggesting that he could enter the IPL 2027 mini-auction as a British citizen. The 34-year-old left-arm pacer, who recently acquired a United Kingdom passport, was linked with a possible entry into the cash-rich league after registering for the Afghanistan Premier League (APL) draft as a UK national.
The speculation gathered momentum after Cricbuzz reported that Amir had registered for the APL draft in the Platinum category. With the IPL 2027 mini-auction scheduled to take place in Goa on December 16, the report suggested that the former Pakistan international could also register for the auction, potentially opening a new chapter in his franchise cricket career.
However, Amir was quick to dismiss the speculation, making it clear that the reports were untrue.
“Hi everyone just wanted to clarify news regarding IPL is not true,” Amir wrote on X, formerly Twitter, Geo Super reported.
Amir represented Pakistan in 36 Tests, 61 ODIs and 62 T20Is before retiring from international cricket in 2024. He had previously reversed his retirement in 2020. Since then, he has continued to feature in franchise and domestic T20 competitions across the world.
AMIR BEGINS NEW JOURNEY AS BRITISH NATIONAL
Amir’s acquisition of British citizenship in May 2026 has opened up new possibilities in his professional career. The left-arm pacer has already begun featuring in English domestic cricket as a local player, turning out in competitions such as the T20 Blast and The Hundred.
In June, Amir joined Nottinghamshire for the remainder of the 2026 T20 Blast season as a domestic player after receiving his UK passport. He subsequently represented Trent Rockets in The Hundred, further establishing himself in English franchise cricket.
His registration for the Afghanistan Premier League draft as a British national marks another step in that direction. The draft is scheduled to take place in Dubai on November 3. His participation also comes amid uncertainty over the availability of Pakistan players, whose involvement depends on receiving the necessary No-Objection Certificates from the Pakistan Cricket Board.
Amir had previously made it clear that his relationship with Pakistan cricket was over. His retirement in 2024 brought the curtain down on an international career in which he claimed 259 wickets across the three formats.
There is, however, a precedent for a former Pakistan international featuring in the IPL after acquiring British citizenship. Azhar Mahmood represented Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders between 2012 and 2015.
Mahmood’s IPL career demonstrated that British citizenship could provide a route into the league for a former Pakistan international. However, with Amir having dismissed the latest reports, it remains to be seen whether he will eventually consider entering the IPL auction.
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