SPORTS DESK (MNN); Pakistan leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed was signed by Sunrisers Leeds during the player auction for The Hundred on Thursday, easing concerns that Pakistani players might be overlooked due to ongoing political tensions.
Sunrisers Leeds, a franchise linked to the Indian Premier League, secured the 27-year-old spinner for £190,000. The selection came despite speculation that players from Pakistan could be excluded from the tournament amid strained relations between India and Pakistan.
Last month, the England and Wales Cricket Board clarified that all eight franchises in the 100-ball competition would select players strictly on the basis of performance rather than political considerations.
India and Pakistan have maintained a long-standing political rivalry that has significantly affected sporting ties. The two cricketing nations rarely face each other outside major global tournaments.
Pakistani cricketers have not participated in the IPL since 2009 because of diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
In contrast to Ahmed’s successful bid, Pakistan’s participation in the women’s auction remained limited. The only two Pakistani players in Wednesday’s women’s auction, Fatima Sana and Sadia Iqbal, went unsold.
Among Pakistan’s male players, fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi withdrew from the auction before the bidding process began. Meanwhile, fellow paceman Haris Rauf failed to attract a bid when his name appeared with a reserve price of £100,000 during the auction held in London.
Another Pakistani spinner, Usman Tariq, was also picked during the auction. The 28-year-old was bought by Birmingham Phoenix for £140,000.
Sunrisers Leeds is fully owned by the group behind the IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad, highlighting the growing connection between The Hundred and IPL-linked investors.
Several other high-profile players were also signed during the auction. London Spirit paid £390,000 for uncapped English all-rounder James Cole, while Welsh Fire spent a combined £540,000 on batsman Jordan Cox and former England captain Joe Root.
The Hundred is holding its first-ever auction-style player selection process this year, replacing the draft system that had been used in previous editions.
Last year, stakes in the tournament’s eight franchises were sold to private investors, generating significant revenue for cricket in England and Wales.
Four teams — MI London, Manchester Super Giants, Sunrisers Leeds and Southern Brave — are now partially owned by companies associated with IPL teams.
The 2026 edition of The Hundred, featuring both men’s and women’s competitions, is scheduled to begin on July 21 and will run for four weeks.
