IPL 2020: Pakistan-born Ali Khan set to become first American to play in Indian Premier League

Kolkata Knight Riders named pacer as replacement for injured Harry Gurney

American fast bowler Ali Khan will play for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2020 in the UAE. Getty

American fast bowler Ali Khan won the 2020 CPL title with the Trinbago Knight Riders. Courtesy Trinbago Knight Riders tweitter / @TKRiders

Ali Khan has joined the Kolkata Knight Riders squad in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy Kolkata Knight Riders twitter / @KKRiders

Ali Khan is set to become the first American cricketer to feature in the IPL. Courtesy Kolkata Knight Riders twitter / @KKRiders

Ali Khan is known for his pace and pin-point yorkers. Courtesy Kolkata Knight Riders twitter / @KKRiders

Caribbean all-rounders Andre Russell and Sunil Narine have arrived in UAE for IPL 2020. Courtesy Kolkata Knight Riders twitter / @KKRiders

KKR spinner Chris Green. Courtesy Kolkata Knight Riders twitter / @KKRiders

Caribbean all-rounder Andre Russell in UAE for IPL 2020. Courtesy Kolkata Knight Riders twitter / @KKRiders

Kolkata Knight Riders coach Brendon McCullum in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy Kolkata Knight Riders twitter / @KKRiders

Ali Khan is set to become the first cricketer from the US to feature in the Indian Premier League after the Pakistan-born pacer joined the Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of the season that begins on Saturday.

Khan, 29, has been signed as a replacement for Harry Gurney with the England seamer requiring surgery on a shoulder injury that will rule him out of this year's IPL tournament, to be played in the UAE, and England's T20 Blast.

Should he be picked in any of Kolkata's matches, Pakistan-born Khan will become the first player from the to United States to feature in the world's most lucrative Twenty20 competition.

The right-arm quick made a mark for Trinbago Knight Riders in the Caribbean Premier League this season, where he finished with eight wickets from eight games at an economy of 7.43 to help his team win the title. The CPL team has the same parent company as Kolkata.

Khan is known to bowl over 140kph with a slingy action and operates in the death overs, with the ability to nail the yorker.

The right-arm bowler was spotted at the 2018 Global T20 Canada by West Indian all-rounder Dwayne Bravo, who brought him to the CPL. Khan also played a key role in the US gaining ODI status at the World Cricket League Division Two event in Namibia last year.