The The Hundred Cricket Auction created massive headlines in the cricket world after Pakistan leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed was signed by Sunrisers Leeds, a franchise owned by the same group that owns Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League. The move quickly became a hot topic among fans, analysts, and cricket administrators, especially because it marked the first time an Indian-owned team in The Hundred signed an active Pakistan international cricketer.
Soon after the news broke, social media erupted with mixed reactions. Many cricket fans were curious about how the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) would respond to this situation. Addressing the issue, BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla clarified that the board cannot interfere in the matter because the signing took place in a foreign league and not in the IPL.
This development has once again highlighted the complex relationship between cricket, franchise ownership, and international politics.
BCCI’s First Reaction to The Hundred Cricket Auction Controversy
After the The Hundred Cricket Auction concluded in London, questions immediately arose regarding the BCCI’s position on the signing of Abrar Ahmed by Sunrisers Leeds.
Speaking to the media, BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla made it clear that the board has no authority to intervene because the deal was related to an overseas league.
According to Shukla, the signing falls completely outside the jurisdiction of the Indian cricket board. He explained that the decision was made by a franchise participating in a foreign tournament, and therefore it is up to the franchise to decide how they want to manage their team.
Shukla said that since the transaction did not involve the Indian Premier League (IPL), the BCCI cannot take any action or impose restrictions. His statement was widely shared across sports media outlets and added more clarity to the ongoing debate.
Abrar Ahmed Becomes First Pakistan Player Signed by an Indian-Owned Hundred Team
One of the biggest talking points of The Hundred Cricket Auction was the signing of Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed.
The talented leg-spinner was bought by Sunrisers Leeds for £190,000 (approximately $255,000) during the inaugural men’s auction of the tournament. This deal created history as it made Abrar Ahmed the first Pakistan international cricketer to be signed by an Indian-owned franchise in The Hundred.
Sunrisers Leeds managed to secure his services after winning a bidding battle against Trent Rockets, another team in the competition.
The moment quickly became one of the most discussed events of the auction, especially given the long-standing political tensions between India and Pakistan which have affected cricketing relations between the two countries.
Social Media Backlash After The Hundred Cricket Auction
The decision by Sunrisers Leeds sparked intense discussions on social media platforms. Many users criticized the franchise and its ownership, particularly Kavya Maran, who is one of the co-owners of the team.
Some critics referred to alleged comments made by Abrar Ahmed during a sensitive period last year when tensions were high following Operation Sindoor. Reports circulating online suggested that the spinner had mocked India’s armed forces during that time, though these claims remain part of online debate.
As a result, a section of fans questioned why an Indian-owned franchise would sign a Pakistan player under such circumstances.
However, others defended the decision, arguing that franchise cricket should remain separate from political disputes and that players should be selected based purely on their performance and cricketing abilities.
Sun TV Group’s Takeover of the Leeds Franchise
Another key element in the story behind The Hundred Cricket Auction is the ownership of the Leeds-based franchise.
According to reports from cricket media outlets, the Indian media giant Sun TV Network completed a full takeover of the franchise last year. The team was previously known as Northern Superchargers before the ownership change.
The company acquired:
- 49% stake from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB)
- 51% stake from Yorkshire County Cricket Club
The combined deal was reportedly worth around £100 million, making it one of the biggest investments by an Indian media company in overseas franchise cricket.
After the takeover, the franchise was rebranded as Sunrisers Leeds, aligning it with the Sunrisers family of teams that already includes Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL and Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the SA20 league.
Sunrisers Franchise Network Around the World
The Sunrisers brand has grown into a global cricket franchise network. The ownership group now operates teams across multiple leagues.
| Franchise Team | League | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Sunrisers Hyderabad | IPL | India |
| Sunrisers Eastern Cape | SA20 | South Africa |
| Sunrisers Leeds | The Hundred | England |
Despite owning teams in several leagues, the franchise had never previously signed an active Pakistan international cricketer before Abrar Ahmed’s selection in The Hundred Cricket Auction.
This is why the signing immediately caught the attention of cricket fans around the world.
Scrutiny Over Possible “Shadow Ban” in The Hundred Auction
Even before the auction began, discussions were already taking place regarding whether franchises owned by IPL investors would bid for Pakistan players.
There had been speculation in cricket circles about a possible “shadow ban”, meaning franchises linked to Indian cricket investors might avoid selecting Pakistan players due to political sensitivities.
However, the tournament organizers clarified that all teams would select players based on three key factors:
- Player performance
- Availability during the tournament
- Team requirements
The selection of Abrar Ahmed by Sunrisers Leeds eventually proved that Pakistan players were not completely excluded from the process.
Other Pakistan Players Sold in The Hundred Cricket Auction
Abrar Ahmed was not the only Pakistan cricketer to attract attention during The Hundred Cricket Auction.
Another Pakistan player, Usman Tariq, was also picked by Birmingham Phoenix for £140,000 (around $187,000).
The Phoenix franchise is jointly owned by Warwickshire County Cricket Club and a group of American investors. Meanwhile, Trent Rockets, who also showed interest in Abrar Ahmed, are co-owned by Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club along with international investors.
The participation of Pakistan players in the league indicates that The Hundred continues to maintain its reputation as a global tournament featuring talent from multiple cricketing nations.
Why Pakistan Players Still Do Not Play in the IPL
The conversation around The Hundred Cricket Auction has once again reminded fans about the absence of Pakistan players in the Indian Premier League.
No active Pakistan international cricketer has played in the IPL since the 2008 season, which was the inaugural year of the tournament.
Following rising geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan, Pakistan players were effectively excluded from the IPL. Since then, franchises have not been allowed to sign them.
Despite this restriction in the IPL, Pakistan players regularly participate in several other global T20 leagues such as:
- Pakistan Super League (PSL)
- Caribbean Premier League (CPL)
- Lanka Premier League (LPL)
- Bangladesh Premier League (BPL)
- The Hundred
The latest developments in The Hundred Cricket Auction show that while political barriers remain in some competitions, franchise cricket globally continues to bring players from different countries together.
What This Means for Franchise Cricket
The signing of Abrar Ahmed by Sunrisers Leeds could have a long-term impact on how franchise cricket operates across international leagues.
The deal shows that ownership connections between franchises do not necessarily limit player selections in tournaments outside India. Each league operates under its own regulations and governance structure.
Experts believe this moment could encourage more cross-border signings in the future, especially in leagues like The Hundred, where global talent plays a key role in building competitive teams.
At the same time, the reaction on social media also shows how deeply politics and cricket remain connected in the subcontinent.
Conclusion
The events surrounding The Hundred Cricket Auction have once again demonstrated how modern franchise cricket operates at the intersection of sports, business, and global politics.
Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed’s signing by Sunrisers Leeds created a historic moment but also triggered intense debate among fans and analysts. While some criticized the move, others welcomed it as a step toward making franchise cricket more inclusive and performance-driven.
The BCCI’s response, delivered by Rajeev Shukla, clarified that the board cannot intervene in decisions made in foreign leagues. Ultimately, the responsibility lies with the franchise and the league authorities.
As The Hundred continues to grow in popularity, moments like these highlight how the sport is evolving beyond traditional boundaries, bringing together players, investors, and fans from across the cricketing world.