One Pakistani player who would fit perfectly in each IPL team

The 2018 edition of the IPL came to an end last Sunday as the Chennai Super Kings went on to win their 3rd IPL title by beating the Sunrisers Hyderabad. There were many close matches in the IPL this year as the teams were more evenly matched as compared to the past editions.

Such has been the success of this year’s IPL that fans are waiting anxiously for the 2019 edition to begin. With the general elections of 2019 coinciding with next year’s IPL, there is a high chance that IPL would be shifted out of the country, with the U.A.E emerging as the front-runners to host the event as they had also successfully hosted the IPL in 2014.

IPL’s organizing committee may also look into the matter of inviting Pakistani cricketers next year as there would be no security issues for them in U.A.E. It would also help in improving the relations between the two countries.

We take a look at 8 players from Pakistan who would fit perfectly in each of the IPL teams.

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#8 Faheem Ashraf (Delhi Daredevils)

The Delhi Daredevils had another disastrous campaign in the IPL this year as they finished bottom of the table. While their batting was exceptional at times, their bowling was consistently mediocre throughout the tournament. Liam Plunkett’s back of the length deliveries did not work in India.

The all-rounder spot was given to Daniel Christian who is way past his prime these days and failed miserably. Faheem Ashraf belongs to that breed of cricketers which IPL teams look for: the seam-bowling all-rounder.

Faheem Ashraf topped the bowling charts this year in the PSL and helped Islamabad United win the title. What makes Ashraf's emergence particularly timely is that he seems to embody the two things that Delhi needs the most - a power hitter and an all-rounder.

#7 Babar Azam (Kings XI Punjab)

The Kings XI Punjab had a strong start to this season but fell away at the end as their batting line-up failed consistently. K.L Rahul was the only one who conjured up runs on a consistent basis.

Chris Gayle had a good start but fell away as the tournament progressed. The likes of Aaron Finch and Marcus Stoinis also struggled for runs. Babar Azam may just provide the stability at the top that the Kings XI so desperately need.

Ever since making his debut for Pakistan, Azam has compiled runs consistently, leading to his comparisons with Virat Kohli. He is also the no. 1 batsman in T20Is rankings. He could fill the vacant no. 3 slot for the Punjab team.

#6 Mohammad Amir (Kolkata Knight Riders)

The Kolkata Knight Riders had a good campaign this year as they managed to reach the playoffs. Some poor bowling at the death in Qualifier-2 by the inexperienced duo of Shivam Mavi and Prasidh Krishna cost them a place in the finals. Although they did rope in Mitchell Johnson and Tom Curran to bolster their fast bowling, both of them could not live up to the expectations.

Mohammad Amir has been around for a long time now. He has the experience of bowling in pressure situations. His ability to swing the ball both ways at the top is what makes him special. He is also quite lethal at the death. His addition would make the Knight Riders a complete bowling line up.

#5 Kamran Akmal (Rajasthan Royals)

Rajasthan Royals had a poor campaign with the bat this year. Joss Buttler was the only batsman who made a significant contribution. The Royals were hampered by the consistent failure of their opening pair as both Ajinkya Rahane and D’arcy Short struggled to get going. Kamran Akmal may just be the missing chink in the Royals armour.

The pocket-sized dynamo from Pakistan was one of the leading run scorers in this year’s PSL. He scored 4 fifties and a century to help his team Peshawar Zalmi, reach the finals. His explosive hitting at the top is just what the Royals need.

#4 Shadab Khan (Mumbai Indians)

The only area in which the Mumbai Indians are short of options is the spinning department. Akhila Dhananjaya was roped in to solve this issue but he was smashed around the park in the only game he played. Mayank Markande performed well but he is not world class. Over a very short period of time, Shadab Khan has emerged as one of the best leg spinners in the world.

His 12 wicket haul to go along with an economy of less than 7, was a big factor in the title-winning campaign of Islamabad United in the PSL this year. He did well on his BBL debut for the Brisbane Heat as well. Shadab is also no mug with the bat and could make Mumbai an invincible side next year.

#3 Shoaib Malik (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

The Sunrisers are a top-heavy side in terms of batting. The bulk of their runs were scored by their top 3 this season while their brittle middle order failed miserably. Shoaib Malik may prove to be the solution to their middle order woes.

The stylish Pakistani batsman has added power to his game in recent years and has the ability to adjust his game according to the situation. His part-time off spin may also come in handy on slow tracks.

#2 Hasan Ali (Royal Challengers Bangalore)

Hasan Ali proved his mettle at the Champions trophy in 2017, where he was crowned as the man of the tournament. The Bangalore side has a very strong batting line-up but possesses a very weak bowling line up.

They lost many matches early on in the IPL this year as their bowlers were not able to defend good scores. This is where Hasan Ali would fit perfectly. He is a genuine wicket-taker. His skiddy pace often catches batsmen by surprise. He could be the go-to bowler for Virat Kohli if Pakistani cricketers are given a chance to play in the IPL.

#1 Wahab Riaz (Chennai Super Kings)

It may be argued that there is not much scope for improvement in the title-winning side of 2018. However, Wahab Riaz is a class act who would improve any IPL side that he would feature in. Indian cricket fans still remember his fantastic spell in the 2011 world cup semi-final against India.

His devastating yorkers to go along with his searing pace ensure that he could prove to be a handful in the shortest format of the game. Chennai side lack experience in the pace department and any sort of injury to Lungi Ngidi may seriously hamper their chances next year. In such a scenario, having Wahab in the squad would come in handy.