Indian-owned Sides Not To Take Pakistani Players In The Hundred Auction

Описание: 🏏 What’s Being Reported

Several franchises in The Hundred — the professional 100-ball cricket competition in England — are now part-owned by investors who also own Indian Premier League (IPL) teams.

According to reports based on statements from agents and sources quoted by BBC Sport and other media, these teams are not expected to bid for or consider Pakistani cricketers in the 2026 player auction happening in March.

🏟️ Which Teams Are Affected

The franchises with Indian / IPL-linked ownership include:

Manchester Super Giants

MI London

Southern Brave

Sunrisers Leeds
These four are among the eight teams in the tournament.

📌 Reason Behind the Decision

This reluctance to pick Pakistani players is being described by agents as an “unwritten rule” for franchises with IPL ties — similar to what has been seen in the IPL, SA20, and ILT20 where Pakistani cricketers have not been signed by teams with Indian ownership.

Although the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) officially welcomes players from all nations for The Hundred, it’s reported informally that teams with IPL ownership are likely to avoid Pakistani players.

📍 Background Context

No Pakistani cricketer has played in the IPL since 2009 because of political and diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan, and similar patterns have appeared in other leagues where Indian investors are involved.

Many Pakistani players are still registering for the auction — including top names like Shaheen Afridi, Salman Ali Agha, and others — but reports suggest the IPL-linked franchises may not bid for them.

⚠️ Important Notes

This situation is based on news reports and sources, and franchises themselves have not publicly confirmed such a policy in official statements.

The ECB emphasises anti-discrimination policies and the league’s openness to international talent, but the ownership pattern has created uncertainty in practice.