5 current Pakistani fast-bowlers who can light up the IPL

The political tension between India and Pakistan has deprived the fans from both sides of the Wagah Border of fierce contests between the two arch-rivals. Neither do Indian cricketers play in the Pakistan Super League, nor do their Pakistani counterparts play in the Indian Premier League.

The likes of Shahid Afridi, Saeed Ajmal and others can take the thrill of the IPL to a whole new level. Imagine Mohammad Amir bowling to Rohit Sharma, or Fakhar Zaman winning your side a nail-biting game. The list of imagination, sadly, remains just that.

Here we list 5 fast-bowlers from Pakistan who could add to the IPL’s excitement.

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#5 Rumman Raees

Rumman Raees’ T20 credentials are visible in his records in the PSL – however – he does not have much international experience under his name. Raees rose to prominence in the 2016 edition of PSL but it was in the 2017 season that he carved his own niche, taking 12 wickets in seven matches.

His slower ball, impressive pace, and frequent Yorkers make him an interesting character on the field.

In the first T20I of the Independence Cup against World XI, Raees dismissed both the openers in the same over and grabbed much attention for the same. The left-arm pacer has 8 wickets from 8 T20Is and 91 wickets from 80 T20s.

#4 Faheem Ashraf

Ashraf is the leading wicket-taker in the on-going PSL

The 24-year-old is currently leading the wicket-takers chart in the Pakistan Super League, with 16 wickets from 10 games. He is no mug with the bat either and can contribute with a few big shots as a lower-order left-handed batsman.

He does not have much experience at the international level – with 10 wickets from 7 T20Is, but in T20s, he has claimed 36 wickets from 33 games. Not essentially an economical bowler, but Ashraf can provide his team with breakthrough wickets.

His all-round skills could make him a great replacement for an injured Andre Russell, or for pacer Mitchell Johnson.

#3 Wahab Riaz

Wahab's bouncers and yorkers are a treat to the eye

Imagine watching Wahab Riaz’s bouncers and yorkers live in your stadium. If not international games, you could have witnessed those live at least in the IPL. His yorkers can bamboozle the best in the business and would have only added to the excitement an IPL game draws.

His aggression is suited to T20 cricket and makes the game even more interesting. One cannot forget his bouncers to Shane Watson in the 2015 World Cup, and fans would love to relive such contests in the IPL.

Riaz has 28 T20I wickets from 27 games and in T20s, he has 193 wickets from 164 games.

#2 Hasan Ali

Hasan Ali destroyed India in the Champions Trophy final

Until a couple of weeks ago, Hasan Ali was the World No. 1 ODI bowler. The fast-bowler, who was the highest wicket-taker in the 2017 Champions Trophy, and was also the chief destroyer of India’s batting in the tournament final, can add a lot of twist to IPL games.

Besides, he is also capable of swinging his bat lower down the order. Hasan clocks around 140-plus with the new ball, and has several variations in his bag of tricks – the yorker, the slower ball and the knuckleball among others.

He has 19 wickets in 14 T20Is and 77 wickets in 60 T20s.

#1 Mohammad Amir

Mohammad Amir could have been the biggest buy from Pakistan

Arguably one of the finest pace bowlers in Pakistan, Mohammad Amir’s ability to read a batsman makes him an asset to any team. In swinging conditions, he can swing the ball both ways and is also very effective as a death bowler.

Just imagine Amir bowling alongside other pace legends like Mitchell Starc, or him troubling Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, as has been the case historically. If Pakistani players were allowed in the IPL, Amir would have been the hottest property in the auctions.

The 25-year-old has 41 wickets from 35 T20Is and 120 wickets from 104 T20s.