The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has issued a strong reminder to all eight franchises in The Hundred, emphasizing their obligations under anti-discrimination rules ahead of the upcoming player auction on March 11-12, 2026.
This move comes in response to reports suggesting that the four franchises with links to the Indian Premier League (IPL) — Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave, and Sunrisers Leeds—may avoid selecting players from Pakistan due to longstanding political tensions between India and Pakistan.
These teams are now at least partially owned by groups that control IPL sides, raising concerns about an informal “shadow ban” similar to patterns seen in other leagues.
The ECB’s letter, sent to the franchises, makes it clear that teams are expected to consider players from all nations on merit. Any evidence of exclusion based solely on nationality could result in referral to the independent Cricket Regulator or other disciplinary measures. ECB chief executive Richard Gould has previously stressed the importance of inclusive selection, noting clear anti-discrimination policies are in place.
A significant number of Pakistani cricketers have registered for the auction: 67 in total (63 men and 4 women), among the 964 players overall. High-profile names include pace sensation Shaheen Shah Afridi, all-rounder Shadab Khan, express bowler Haris Rauf, and young quick Naseem Shah.
Other notable registrants feature emerging talents like Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan, with the latter expressing hope for selection despite the uncertainties, calling The Hundred “one of the best leagues.”
England’s white-ball captain Harry Brook weighed in, describing it as “a shame” if Pakistani players were overlooked. He praised them as “great cricketers” who bring significant value and excitement to the competition.
The context is heightened by recent changes in The Hundred’s ownership structure, following the ECB’s sale of stakes to private investors, many with IPL ties. This has fueled fears that geopolitical sensitivities could influence team-building decisions.
Notably, Pakistani players have featured successfully in The Hundred in the past, including in the 2025 season—the last before the major influx of private investment. Fast bowler Mohammad Amir and all-rounder Imad Wasim, both experienced former Pakistan internationals, participated as replacement signings for Northern Superchargers that year.
Amir replaced an overseas player unavailable due to international commitments, while Wasim filled in for another. Their involvement serves as a recent reminder that Pakistani talent has enriched the tournament, even amid evolving franchise dynamics.
As the auction approaches in London, the ECB’s intervention aims to safeguard the league’s inclusive ethos and prevent any nationality-based exclusion from undermining its global appeal. With star-studded Pakistani representation on offer, the coming weeks will test whether merit truly prevails over external pressures in one of cricket’s most innovative competitions.
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After completing my Engineering from Bahauddin Zakriya University Multan, I started my freelancing career. Then I started writing News and blogs for different News agencies like Mobile Fun and Urdu Geo News.
