Mohammad Amir Denies Reports of IPL 2027 Auction Entry as British Citizen

Former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir has dismissed reports that he would register for the IPL 2027 mini-auction using his British citizenship. Cricbuzz had reported that the left-arm bowler was likely to enter the auction as a UK national, but Amir responded on X on Monday, 2 November 2026, saying the news about the IPL “is not true.”

The clarification means that, for now, Amir is not expected to be part of the auction pool. His denial closes off speculation that had spread quickly across cricket media in the days before the franchise retention deadline.

Why the Reports Gained Traction

The reports were prompted by Amir’s registration for the Afghanistan Premier League (APL) draft as a UK national. Amir obtained British citizenship in May 2026 through his marriage to Narjis Khan, a UK-based lawyer, and he lives in England.

Because of that registration, many outlets linked him to a possible IPL move, reasoning that a British passport could allow him to enter the auction without the NOC from the Pakistan Cricket Board that Pakistani players normally need. That logic is why the reports gained so much attention.

Key Details at a Glance

Mohammad Amir’s Position

Amir’s last appearance for Pakistan came at the 2024 T20 World Cup, after he reversed an earlier retirement. He has since focused on franchise cricket, and his APL draft registration confirms that he remains active in the T20 circuit as a UK national.

He has spoken before about his desire to play in the IPL. In earlier interviews, he said he hoped to take part in the tournament once his British passport was in place. His latest statement, however, makes clear that he is not entering the 2027 auction.

The Azhar Mahmood Precedent

The reports drew comparisons with former Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood. Mahmood played in the IPL between 2012 and 2015 after registering as a British citizen, and his case showed that the route was possible.

Amir’s situation has been compared with Mahmood’s because both players have used British citizenship to pursue franchise careers. Whether any future player follows that route will depend on the rules of the league and the approval of the relevant boards.

Pakistan Players and the IPL

Pakistan players have not featured in the IPL since the tournament’s inaugural season in 2008. The BCCI does not allow Pakistani cricketers to play in the league, which is why the British passport route attracted so much attention.

The reports also highlighted the practical and political barriers facing Pakistani players seeking to compete in franchise leagues outside Pakistan.

What Comes Next

With Amir’s denial, the focus shifts to whether he will play in other franchise leagues, including the APL. The IPL 2027 mini-auction on 16 December will go ahead without his name in the pool, at least for this cycle.

Any future development would need to come from a fresh registration or statement, and Amir’s clarification currently stands as the most recent word on the matter.

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