Dubai, 02 November (H.S.): Former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir has registered for the Afghanistan Premier League (APL) draft as a British citizen. The draft is scheduled to take place in Dubai on Tuesday, November 3. Former India internationals Vijay Shankar and KS Bharat have also registered for the selection process. Both players are understood to have retired from all formats of cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL). The league is expected to be held later this year.

According to a report by Cricbuzz, the 34-year-old Amir, who has represented Pakistan in international cricket and is currently based in England, has already acquired British citizenship. The draft list formally identifies him as a British national, although Pakistan has been mentioned as his country of residence. He has been placed in the Platinum category.

There is also speculation that Amir could register for the IPL auction from England. Former Pakistan international Azhar Mahmood had earlier featured in the IPL between 2012 and 2015 on the basis of his British passport, representing Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders. Despite the restrictions on Pakistani nationals participating in the tournament, Mahmood was able to play in the league.

Whether any franchise expresses interest in Amir will become clear during the IPL mini-auction scheduled to be held in Goa on December 16.

Amir represented Pakistan in 36 Tests, 61 One-Day Internationals and 62 T20 Internationals. His last international appearance came against Ireland on June 16, 2024, at Lauderhill, Florida, during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup.

Registering as a British citizen could offer Amir an immediate advantage by potentially allowing him to participate in the Afghanistan Premier League without requiring a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). However, the position remains uncertain for his former Pakistan teammates, whose participation would depend on the PCB granting the necessary clearance.

Diplomatic tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, which share the Durand Line, have added to the uncertainty over whether the PCB will permit its players to take part in the tournament.

More than 30 Pakistani cricketers have registered for the draft, including Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Hasan Ali, Shan Masood, Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf and Imad Wasim. However, a PCB spokesperson has expressed doubt over the likelihood of the board issuing NOCs to its players for the APL.

Among the Indian players, Vijay Shankar, Ayan Khan and Murugan Ashwin have registered under the Indian category, while KS Bharat has been listed as an Indian player residing in the United Arab Emirates. Vijay Shankar, Murugan Ashwin and Bharat have been placed in the Gold category. A total of 462 players have been selected for this category.

The draft also features several players of Indian origin representing other countries. They include Unmukt Chand of the United States; Rahul Chopra, Akshdeep Nath, Alishan Sharafu, Aryan Afzal Khan and Dhruv Parashar of the UAE; Ayan Khan of Oman; Vraj Patel of Kenya; and Yasin Patel of Kuwait.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar