‘Boycott IPL As Indian Players Don’t’- Inzamam Ul Haq

Former Pakistan captain Inzamam Ul Haq has called for a global boycott of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and urged all the other boards to unite and take a stand against BCCI after they refused to send the Indian team to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Since its launch in 2008, the Indian Premier League (IPL), known as cricket's most glitzy and lucrative T20 tournament, has continuously drawn top players from all over the world.

IPL has taken over the Cricket world

The IPL has transformed cricket economics and global fan involvement with its exciting format, billion-dollar valuation, and crowded stadiums.

Inzamam-ul-Haq, the former captain of Pakistan's cricket team, has recently sparked a major controversy by calling on cricket boards all over the world to reconsider their involvement in the IPL.

‘Indian players don’t play in other leagues’—Inzamam Ul Haq wants other boards to boycott IPL

Inzamam asked for a reevaluation of player commitments to the IPL and denounced what he sees as an imbalance in player-exchange practices during an appearance on the Pakistan news channel show "Champions Trophy Hungama."

Inzamam brought out a significant disparity during the interview: Indian players are conspicuously missing from international franchise competitions, which he believes is unjust. He urged international cricket boards to think about adopting a stance in favor of a reciprocal strategy.

“Every top player from every country comes and plays the IPL. But no Indian player plays in any of the leagues in other countries. Every board should stop sending their players for IPL from now on,” he remarked, questioning the BCCI’s reluctance to release Indian players to participate in overseas leagues.

By emphasizing equity and reciprocity, Inzamam brought attention to possible unfair practices in cricket and recommended that cricket boards use collective bargaining.

“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),” he added.

India playing all of its Champions Trophy matches in Dubai sparks Inzamam’s statement

Former England cricketers Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton, along with several other noted personalities, have stated that India has a significant advantage as they are playing all of their matches, including the semi-final and possibly the final, in Dubai.

The continuous hostilities between the BCCI and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have also been highlighted by Inzamam's remarks. Long-standing political difficulties have prevented Pakistani cricket players from participating in the IPL since 2009, which has heightened calls for fair player participation in all competitions.

The conversation is at a pivotal point for the participating cricket boards because of the timing of Inzamam's announcement, which comes just before the start of the 18th season of the IPL on March 22, 2025.

Also Read: Ex-Pakistan Spinner Dares India To Do This After Champions Trophy 2025 Debacle