Shoaib shares iconic image to highlight what's missing in IPL

The Indian Premier League (IPL) may well be into nine seasons but it's still lacking in one thing -- Pakistani players.

After the first season, the league has not seen participation of any Pakistani player, a fact that has hit former Pakistan fast-bowler Shoaib Akhtar hard.

Shoaib took to Twitter on Friday to express disappointment that no Pakistani is allowed to showcase their talent in the ongoing IPL.

The 40-year-old shared an iconic picture of him carrying Bollywood actor Shahrukh Khan after a match-winning performance against Delhi Daredevils for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) during the inaugural 2008 edition of IPL.

"Sad to see Pakistani players are not able to showcase their talent," the caption read.

Arthur will either reshape Pakistan cricket or leave within 8 months: Shoaib

The right-arm pacer added that he 'really enjoyed' his time in the IPL.

Shoaib, in a spell of three match-winning overs, bagged four important wickets of Virender Sehwag (0), Gautam Gambhir (10), AB de Villiers (7) and Manoj Tiwari (9) — first three caught and the last one dismissed LBW.

The first edition of the IPL included many other Pakistanis such as Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Younus Khan, Umar Gul, Muhammad Asif, Kamran Akmal and Salman Butt.

Shoaib Akhtar turns tables on Sehwag after 'mauka' taunt

However, the fluctuating relations between the two nuclear-armed rivals and security concerns has shut Pakistani players out of the tournament since 2008.

Here is Shoaib's memorable four-wicket haul for KKR

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiZhDdLAaqs

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Here is what the fans had to say in reply to Shoaib's tweet: