Pakistani leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed was bought by Sunrisers Leeds for £190,000 ($254,000) in the men's draft for The Hundred, countering earlier reports that Indian-owned teams might avoid signing cricketers from Pakistan. This move comes despite ongoing geopolitical tensions between the neighboring nations.
In February, media reports suggested that franchises such as Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave, and Sunrisers Leeds would not consider Pakistani players for the UK-based competition, citing the strained relations between India and Pakistan. Following this, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and all eight franchises emphasized that players must not be excluded from selection based on nationality, though the issue has highlighted broader regional frictions impacting sports.
Abrar has played 38 Twenty20 matches for Pakistan since his debut in 2024, taking 52 wickets with an economy rate of 6.67. At the auction in London on Thursday, Sunrisers opened the bidding for the 27-year-old at £130,000 ($174,000) before increasing their offer to outbid interest from Trent Rockets, showcasing a competitive market despite the underlying political sensitivities.
Trent Rockets, which is not Indian-owned, also attempted to sign Abrar's compatriot Usman Tariq, who ultimately joined Birmingham Phoenix for £140,000 ($187,000). Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi withdrew from the men's sale, while Pakistan's Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf went unsold – the latter failed to attract any offers at his reserve price of £100,000 ($134,000), underscoring the uneven opportunities for Pakistani players in international leagues.
Pakistani cricketers have been effectively barred from the Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2009, a policy that reflects deeper bilateral tensions. The Hundred, the world's only cricket league using a 100-ball format, will be held from July 21 to August 16. It was opened to private investment last year, with four franchises acquired by IPL owners, raising questions about the influence of Indian capital on player selection and the league's inclusivity.
In the women's auction on Wednesday, the only two Pakistani players, Fatima Sana and Sadia Iqbal, also went unsold, indicating broader challenges for Pakistani athletes. Meanwhile, in the first half of the men's auction, 21-year-old all-rounder James Coles from Sussex fetched the highest price, bought by London Spirit for £390,000 ($521,000), while Welsh Fire picked up former England captain Joe Root and Jordan Cox, highlighting the disparity in market value and attention.
Source: www.aljazeera.com