Azhar Mahmood hoping to fire for Kings XI Punjab in IPL

London, Mar 17 (ANI): Former Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood has he had been fortunate enough to enjoy a lot of success in twenty over cricket and he hopes that the trend continues in India.

"My aim is always to give my all and I will go to India looking to win my fourth Twenty20 title, after previous wins with Surrey, Auckland and Dhaka. I've been fortunate enough to enjoy a lot of success in twenty over cricket and I hope that it can continue in India," Pakpassion quoted Mahmood, as saying.

He was bought by Kings XI Punjab at the Indian Premier League players' auction in Bangalore, making him the first player of Pakistani origin to figure in the IPL since the first edition in 2008.

"I'm really excited at playing in the Indian Premier League, it should be a great adventure to play for Kings XI Punjab."

Mahmood spoke highly of the IPL and described it as "the biggest tournament in the world after international cricket".

Mahmood will be joined by Wasim Akram who is in the coaching staff of Kolkata Knight Riders and Rameez Raja who will be part of the commentary team as the only Pakistanis taking part in the IPL, and added that the lack of Pakistani participation was a matter for the two cricket boards.

"My job is to play competitive cricket wherever it is available in the world. Yes I am going to India as an English qualified player, but let's make something absolutely clear here, I don't think the IPL organizers have any problems with Pakistanis, the problem seems to be with the Pakistan Cricket Board's contracted players. Look, Wasim Akram will be working at the IPL again this time, I am going too and everyone knows that I have previously played for Pakistan, so it's not a problem specifically with Pakistanis, rather an issue between the BCCI and PCB." (ANI)