Ali Khan Set To Become First American Cricketer To Play In IPL As KKR Name Seamer As Injured Gurney's Replacement: Report

In yet another significant development which makes the league, the IPL will witness the participation of an American cricketer after Kolkata Knight Riders signed Ali Khan for the upcoming season in the United Arab Emirates, a report in ESPNcricinfo states.

Ali Khan (Image Credit: TKR Twitter Handle)

The 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League set to commence in the UAE from September 19 will be a season full of many firsts amid the Covid-19 pandemic. In yet another significant development which makes the league, the IPL will witness the participation of an American cricketer after Kolkata Knight Riders signed Ali Khan for the upcoming season in the United Arab Emirates, a report in ESPNcricinfo states this major development. The 29-year old Khan has been roped in as the replacement for injured English seamer Harry Gurney, who had to pulled out of the upcoming season to undergo a shoulder injury. Ali Khan played a pivotal role in Trinbago Knight Riders' fourth Caribbean Premier League title by picking up eight wickets in as many games at an economy rate of 7.43. Keiron Pollard-led Trinbago Knight Riders beat St Lucia Zouks in the finals of the 2020 Caribbean Premier League and lifted the CPL title for the fourth time. The ESPN Cricinfo report further said that Khan was seen in an Instagram story posted by the TKR and Chennai Super Kings all-rounder Dwayne Bravo, shot inside a plane, with the caption "next stop Dubai". Ali Khan who plays for United States of America (USA) in international cricket has been a consistent performer in franchise based T20 leagues around the world with stints in Karachi Kings (Pakistan Super League), Khulna Titans (Bangladesh Premier League) and Kabul Zwanan (Afghanistan Premier League). Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)  will begin their campaign in the thirteenth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) against defending champions Mumbai Indians on September 23.