CPL Team Signs Pakistani Star for 2025
Guyana Amazon Warriors have confirmed the signing of Iftikhar Ahmed for the 2025 Caribbean Premier League (CPL), marking the all-rounder’s debut in the competition. Iftikhar has been brought in as a short-term replacement for Hassan Khan, who will be unavailable for the franchise’s opening three matches.
With significant experience in leagues around the world, Iftikhar offers both power-hitting and part-time spin. In the BPL, he has scored 656 runs at a strike-rate exceeding 136, including five 50-plus scores. In contrast, his LPL outings have been less impactful. He has also performed steadily in the PSL, where he has over 1,100 runs and 13 wickets.
At the international level, Iftikhar has featured in 66 T20Is for Pakistan, scoring just under 1,000 runs.
The St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots have re-signed fast bowler Naseem Shah, who returns to the CPL after a successful campaign with them in 2021. He picked up six wickets in that edition and was key to the team’s title run. This year, however, his availability is still uncertain due to Pakistan’s commitments in the ODI series against the West Indies, a tri-nation series, and the Asia Cup.
Other Pakistani players have also secured CPL contracts. Left-arm seamer Mohammad Amir will play for Trinbago Knight Riders, having already featured for three other teams in past editions. He has 51 wickets in 39 CPL appearances.
Young pace bowler Usman Tariq, after impressing in the last two PSL seasons, is also joining the Knight Riders for his first taste of CPL action. Fellow all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz will make his debut for the Patriots.
