Pakistan Players Unlikely for IPL-Linked Teams in The Hundred

No player from Pakistan is expected to be considered by franchises with Indian investment in the upcoming edition of The Hundred, the flagship competition of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

Pakistan cricketers have not featured in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2009. Similarly, no Pakistani player has appeared in SA20, where all six franchises are owned by IPL team owners.

According to a BBC report, a senior ECB official indicated to a player agent that interest in Pakistan players would likely be limited to teams without links to IPL ownership. Another agent described the practice as an “unwritten rule” across leagues involving Indian investors.

Four of The Hundred’s eight franchises now have partial ownership or investment from IPL owners — Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave, and SunRisers Leeds. The new ownership structures took effect on October 1, 2025.

Responding to the issue, James Sheridan, deputy chair of Manchester Super Giants, said squad-building decisions remain purely performance-driven.

“The only conversations we’ve had is to pick the two best squads to give us the best possible chance of winning the two competitions,” Sheridan told the BBC.

An ECB spokesperson reiterated the tournament’s inclusive stance: “The Hundred welcomes men’s and women’s players from all over the world, and we would expect the eight teams to reflect that.”

The spokesperson added that nearly 1,000 players from 18 nations have registered for the auction, including more than 50 players each from Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Pakistan, and the West Indies.

Former Pakistan internationals Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim featured in the previous edition of The Hundred, the last before new investors joined. Players such as Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, and Haris Rauf have appeared in earlier men’s seasons, while no Pakistani players have participated in the women’s competition.

ECB’s Position on Selection

Following the confirmation of Indian investment last year, ECB chief executive Richard Gould said he expected “players from all nations to be selected for all teams,” noting that clear anti-discrimination policies were in place.

The absence of Pakistan players from IPL-owned franchises is consistent with patterns seen in other leagues. In the International League T20 (ILT20), teams linked to MI London and Southern Brave have not signed Pakistani players despite recruiting from numerous other countries.

Players’ Association Raises Concerns

The World Cricketers’ Association (WCA) emphasised the importance of fairness in recruitment.

“Every player should have the right to fair and equal opportunity,” said WCA chief executive Tom Moffat. “While employers have autonomy in recruitment, those decisions should always align with principles of fairness, equality and respect.”