Mohammad Amir rules out entering IPL auction despite British citizenship

Mohammad Amir has ruled out entering the IPL 2027 auction, ending talk that his new British citizenship might open the door for the former Pakistan pacer. The 33-year-old left-arm bowler said he will not register, with the auction due on December 16.

He cleared it up on X, writing: “I just want to clarify that the circulating news regarding the IPL is not true.” Amir gave Cricbuzz a flat denial in a message from Dubai, saying he would not register for the auction.

Speculation grew because Amir became a British citizen, receiving his passport in May. That raised the question of whether he could enter the league without the restrictions Pakistan nationals face, since Pakistan players have not featured in the IPL since its inaugural season.

There was a precedent. Azhar Mahmood played in the league for a few seasons because he held a British passport. Even so, Amir would have needed a franchise to pick him, and there was no guarantee he would have found a buyer.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said on November 2 that hopefuls can register through their overseas boards until November 23. Amir could have used the England and Wales Cricket Board, since he is now a domestic player there.

He did register on November 2 for the Afghanistan Premier League player draft as a UK national, which fuelled the IPL talk. He also played for Trent Rockets in The Hundred as a local player, not an overseas signing.

Amir played 159 internationals for Pakistan, 36 Tests, 61 ODIs and 62 T20Is, and took 271 wickets across formats. Known for left-arm pace, swing and a knack of delivering under pressure, he remains active in franchise cricket around the world.