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Boycott IPL! Inzamam Asks Cricket Boards Not To Send Players For India's T20 League

Soumyajit Dutta

Inzamam-ul-Haq and the IPL trophy in frame [Source: @Knightsvibe/X.com]Inzamam-ul-Haq and the IPL trophy in frame [Source: @Knightsvibe/X.com]

The Indian Premier League (IPL), cricket’s most lucrative and star-studded T20 league, has long been a global magnet for talent, drawing top players from Australia to New Zealand. Since its 2008 inception, the IPL has redefined cricket’s economics and fandom, with its billion-dollar brand value and packed stadiums. 

However, former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has ignited a firestorm by demanding that cricket boards worldwide “ban IPL” and cease sending players, citing inequity in player-exchange policies.

Inzamam’s Explosive Statement on IPL Ban

Appearing on a Pakistan news channel show 'Champions Trophy Hungama', the former Pakistan skipper launched a scathing critique of the IPL’s dominance. Highlighting the absence of Indian players in overseas leagues, Inzamam argued that global boards must adopt a “tit-for-tat” approach to safeguard their interests.

“Every top player from every country comes and plays the IPL. But no Indian player plays any of the leagues in other countries. Every board should stop sending their players for IPL from now on.”

Inzamam’s remarks majorly centred on reciprocity and fairness of the sport as he subtly hinted at India's arrogance in not sending players to other leagues.

 “Agar aap apne players ko release nahi karte kisi bhi league ke liye to dusre board ko bhi to stance lena chahiye na?” (If you don’t release your players for any other league games, then other boards should also take a stance for their players.)"

The 54-year-old emphasized that boards must leverage collective bargaining to pressure the BCCI into allowing Indian cricketers to participate in foreign leagues, like the Big Bash League (BBL) or The Hundred. 

Notably, Inzamam's comments also hint at the longstanding friction between the BCCI and PCB, with Pakistani players barred from the IPL since 2009 due to political tensions.

Inzamam’s boycott call comes ahead of IPL’s 18th season, scheduled to begin on March 22, 2025. The first match is scheduled between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata and the league will be ending with the final match on May 25.