“Thought it was a joke” Star Pakistan Bowler reveals how Shah Rukh Khan himself contacted him to play for KKR

“Thought it was a joke” Star Pakistan Bowler reveals how Shah Rukh Khan himself contacted him to play for KKR

Yasir Arafat and Shah Rukh Khan

 Former Pakistani all-rounder Yasir Arafat recalls the time when Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan himself offered a multiple year contract to him to play for the Kolkata Knight Riders.

This is the 15th installment of the IPL which is often considered as the world’s most successful T20 league .As usual, Pakistani players are excluded from playing the IPL because of political differences. The opening season of the IPL which was held in 2008 is the only time where Pakistani cricketers featured in the grand league. Five different teams featured almost 11 players from Pakistan in that edition of the IPL. The only exception was Azhar Mahmood in 2011 when he obtained British citizenship.

Yasir Arafat spoke about his interaction with Shah Rukh Khan, who happens to be the owner of the two-time IPL winners Kolkata Knight Riders post IPL 2008. Arafat had initially taken it as a joke.

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Yasir Arafat’s testimony about the time KKR came calling.

Yasir Arafat

“Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had shortlisted names for the first edition and unfortunately, I was not among them and couldn’t play,” Yasir said on Cricket Den’s YouTube channel. “I was playing County Cricket for Kent in 2008 where KKR’s Scouting Team specially came from India and they met me during a match. They revealed that Shah Rukh Khan wants me to play for his side,” he added. “Initially, I thought it was a joke as to why Shah Rukh would send somebody to talk regarding the contract. They also handed me a card and took my contact details.”

A few weeks later, I received an email where they complained about not contacting and the discussion was put off. They again offered me a three-year contract where Shah Rukh himself called and welcomed me. He also picked up my contract through someone in London while travelling to the United States of America,” he continued.

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