Player of Pakistani origin in IPL auction. (Photo- Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
The auction for IPL 2026 is scheduled to take place on 16 December 2025 in Abu Dhabi. BCCI has also released the final list of players, which includes a total of 350 players. 10 franchises will open their safes for this. This time, a total of 1390 players had initially registered for the auction, out of which after strict sorting, only 240 Indian and 110 foreign players could be shortlisted. The special thing is that among these 350 players, a cricketer of Pakistani origin is also included.
Pakistani origin player in IPL auction
Among these 350 names, one name is gaining the most discussion, which is New Zealand’s young sensational all-rounder Mohammad Abbas. The 22-year-old may wear the New Zealand jersey, but he was born on 29 November 2003 in Lahore, Pakistan. His father Azhar Abbas is a former first-class cricketer, who has played domestic cricket in both Pakistan and New Zealand. The whole family shifted to Auckland during his childhood and Mohammad started holding bat and ball at the age of just three years.
At the age of 16, New Zealand Cricket selected him in its Talent Pathway program and this year his hard work paid off. He created a stir as soon as he made his ODI debut against Pakistan in Napier on 29 March 2025. By playing an explosive inning of 52 runs in just 24 balls, he made the world record of the fastest half-century on debut. Earlier this record was in the name of India’s Krunal Pandya, who had scored fifty in 26 balls. This innings of Mohammad included 3 fours and 3 skyscraper sixes. Even in bowling, he surprised everyone by dismissing Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan. After this brilliant debut, the New Zealand Cricket Board immediately gave him a central contract. He is the second Muslim player in the history of New Zealand cricket after Ajaz Patel.
International career of Mohammad Abbas
Mohammad Abbas has played 3 ODI matches for New Zealand team so far. During this period he has scored 104 runs at an average of 34.66. At the same time, as a bowler he has taken 2 wickets. He played these three matches against Pakistan team. Mohammad Abbas has played 19 T20 matches, in which he has scored 391 runs.