Sunrisers Hyderabad, owners of the Indian Premier League team, faced backlash on social media after their team, Sunrisers Leeds, signed Pakistani spinner Abrar Ahmed during The Hundred auction. The leg-spinner was signed for £190,000 ($252,000), leading to calls for a boycott of Sunrisers ahead of the 2026 season opener against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on March 28.
There was speculation before the auction that Indian-owned teams like MI London, Manchester Super Giants, Sunrisers Leeds, and Southern Brave would not select Pakistani players due to political tensions between India and Pakistan. However, the England and Wales Cricket Board clarified that all eight franchises in The Hundred were committed to selecting players based on performance regardless of nationality.
In addition to Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq was the only other Pakistani player signed in the auction, joining the American-owned Birmingham Phoenix. The absence of Pakistani players in the IPL since 2009 due to political reasons has been a contentious issue, but The Hundred seems to be more inclusive in its player selection process.
The controversy surrounding Sunrisers Hyderabad and their decision to sign a Pakistani player has sparked a debate on social media, with fans expressing their opinions on the matter. The situation highlights the complexities of sports and politics intersecting, and how decisions made by teams can have far-reaching consequences. The 2026 season of The Hundred is set to be an interesting one with diverse player selections and potential controversies.
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