Mohammad Amir Eyes IPL 2026-Ex-Mate Suggests RCB Might Require His Bowling Services

Indian Premier League (IPL) has been the most sought-after and competitive T20 franchise league globally since its inception in 2008. In its inaugural season, Pakistan's finest cricketers like Shoaib Akhtar, Shahid Afridi, Sohail Tanvir, Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal, and Mohammad Hafeez were on different IPL franchises. However, after the infamous 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, Pakistani cricketers were not permitted to compete in the tournament. Although there have been a few Pakistanis playing for IPL franchises as mentors, no current Pakistani player has played for the league since then.

But a significant development has occurred which could change the tide around. Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir, who is a veteran of the nation, has signaled his availability and suitability to participate in the IPL from the 2026 season. The left-arm pacer, who has represented Pakistan in 36 Tests, 61 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 62 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), is attempting to acquire a UK passport from his wife Narjis, a UK national. If his UK nationality is awarded, he will no longer be considered a Pakistani player for league participation regulations, which could open the door for him to play in the IPL.

In an open interview on the "Haarna Mana Hai" chat show, Amir discussed his possibilities of playing for the IPL. He informed that he was expecting to get the opportunity to play in the league, and said, "By next year, I will be able to play in the IPL. If things go according to plan, why not? I would like to play in the tournament."

The potential of Amir signing with the IPL sparked an interesting debate on the show, with his former colleague Ahmed Shehzad sharing his view on how likely this is. Shehzad reckoned that Amir would be a valuable addition to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), a team which has a powerful batting line-up but chronic problems with its bowling department.

"RCB has always had a solid batting order, but their bowling has been an issue every year," Shehzad explained. "If Amir joins RCB, he could be the game-changer they need to finally win their first IPL title."

RCB, with some of the biggest cricket stars ever, has yet to lift an IPL trophy after making the finals multiple times. The introduction of a veteran pacer in the shape of Amir could add strength to their bowling as he would bring in the kind of balance the team is searching for. His ability to reverse the ball and deliver under pressure has been evident on a number of occasions, especially in big games against India.

Amir has a history of delivering world-class performances against India in international cricket. One of his best spells came in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy final, where he ripped through India's top order, dismissing Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shikhar Dhawan back to the pavilion, as Pakistan won easily. His ability to bowl in the powerplay and death makes him a valuable asset for any T20 side.

Another interesting anecdote from Amir's life is with ex-Indian captain Virat Kohli. The mutual respect of the two players is well-documented, and Kohli once presented Amir with his bat as a token of appreciation. Reminiscing about that day, Amir voiced his gratitude and enthusiasm: "Virat donated his bat to me, and I was flooded with his goodness. I used to look up to his batting all the while, and in return, he complimented me on my bowling." I also scored well a few times using his bat.

As the IPL's 2026 season draws closer, we can only await whether Amir's dream of appearing in the popular tournament will find fruition. Although there has been no official word on his UK passport, the possibility of his playing is causing a stir among cricket enthusiasts. If Amir gets an opportunity to play, it would be a milestone in the history of the IPL and would open the doors for other cricketers who have taken the same route to gain eligibility.

For RCB, Amir's acquisition may be a strategical move, strengthening their bowling attack and strengthening their quest to finally win the coveted IPL title. Whomever he ends up with or whomever he plays his jersey for, Amir's return to a high-octane league like the IPL would most certainly be a fascinating twist in the world of T20 cricket.