In a significant moment for Pakistani cricketers, leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed was signed by Sunrisers Leeds at The Hundred men’s auction in London. He was acquired for £190,000 after a bidding war with Trent Rocks, becoming the first Pakistani player bought by an Indian-owned franchise. Despite previous tensions between India and Pakistan, several Pakistani players have played for global T20 teams affiliated with IPL franchises. However, no active Pakistani internationals have featured in the IPL since 2008. The involvement of Pakistani players in The Hundred was assured by ECB’s chief executive, Richard Gould, despite the league’s privatization. Another Pakistani player, Usman Tariq, was also acquired by Birmingham Phoenix in the auction. Out of the eight franchises in The Hundred, at least four have Indian ownership. Reports of a possible ban on Pakistani players by Indian-owned sides sparked controversy, with English all-rounder Moeen Ali warning against discriminatory behavior. The women’s auction did not see any Pakistani cricketers being picked, and the announcement of Abrar Ahmed’s signing by Sunrisers Leeds received backlash on social media. Indian fans called for boycotts, urging owner Kavya Maran to reflect on the decision.
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