It was in 2008 when 11 players of the neighboring country, Pakistan, featured in the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, this became their last season in the cash-rich T20 league as the BCCI banned the participation of the Pakistani players after a horrific terrorist attack in Mumbai, followed by the attack on the Sri Lanka team bus on their tour to Pakistan. It's been more than 17 years, but the players of Pakistan do express their desire to play in the world's richest league. The players of both India and Pakistan share a friendly bond, but due to the political tensions that kept rising year by year, the BCCI disallowed the involvement of Pakistan players in IPL, and they also discontinued the bilateral series between two nations. The last time India and Pakistan met each other in a bilateral series was in 2012. Since then, both the teams are facing each other only in the ICC Events or Asia Cup. Recently, the BCCI Vice-President, Rajeev Shukla did a podcast with the popular YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia and there at the Ranveer Show, Shukla was asked whether the fans will witness the inclusion of Pakistani players in IPL teams? Responding to this, Shukla cleverly put this on the IPL franchises by saying: “Pakistani commentators and umpires, we (BCCI) have involved them in Indian Premier League. About the players, it all depends on the franchises.” Also Read | Virat Kohli to Captain RCB in IPL 2025? Official Speaks Out He added: “They (franchises) do not pick the Pakistan players, and we also have not put them (in the auction list).” When asked about the interest of franchises on including the players from neighboring country, Shukla said: "There are a few franchises who do talk about Pakistani players in IPL but by large, things look tough at the moment." Pakistani Players Who Played IPL in 2008 Sohail Tanveer (Rajasthan Royals) Shahid Afridi (Deccan Chargers) Shoaib Malik (Delhi Daredevils) Shoaib Akhtar (Kolkata Knight Riders) Misbah-ul-Haq (Royal Challengers Bangalore) Mohammad Asif (Delhi Daredevils) Kamran Akmal (Rajasthan Royals) Salman Butt (Kolkata Knight Riders) Umar Gul (Kolkata Knight Riders) Younis Khan (Rajasthan Royals) Mohammad Hafeez (Kolkata Knight Riders) Azhar Mahmood, a former Pakistani cricketer, did appeared in the 2012, 2013 and 2015 season of Indian Premier League (IPL), but he was only allowed to appear in the auction after he attained the British passport.