63-Player Pakistan Contingent for The Hundred 2026 Auction Amidst IPL-Owned Franchise Reluctance

Over sixty Pakistani cricketers have registered for the inaugural player auction of The Hundred, set to take place in March, amidst growing uncertainty regarding their selection by franchises with Indian ownership ties. This development casts a shadow over the England and Wales Cricket Board's (ECB) flagship 100-ball competition, which has recently seen significant investment from entities linked to the Indian Premier League (IPL). Manchester Originals Renamed As Manchester Super Giants In The Hundred As LSG Owner Sanjiv Goenka Unveils New Identity (Watch Video).

Significant Pakistani Contingent Registers

A total of 63 Pakistani players, encompassing both men and women, have put their names forward for the 2026 Hundred auction, which will be held on March 11 for women and March 12 for men. This substantial registration includes prominent figures such as Shaheen Afridi, Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf, Saim Ayub, and Usman Tariq, many of whom are key members of Pakistan's T20 World Cup squad. However, notable absentees from the list include star batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, whose availability would likely have been limited by Pakistan's scheduled Test series against the West Indies in August. The influx of Pakistani talent highlights the global appeal of The Hundred, which has transitioned from a draft system to an IPL-style auction for its sixth season, accompanied by increased salary caps and the allowance for up to four overseas players per squad.

Concerns Over Indian-Owned Franchise Stance

The optimism surrounding the Pakistani players' registration is tempered by widespread reports suggesting that several of The Hundred's eight franchises, now partly or fully owned by Indian investors, may opt against bidding for Pakistani cricketers. Four teams – MI London (formerly Oval Invincibles, owned by Reliance Industries), Manchester Super Giants (formerly Manchester Originals, owned by RPSG Group), Southern Brave (partly owned by GMR Group), and Sunrisers Leeds (formerly Northern Superchargers, owned by Sun TV) – have direct links to IPL franchises. Reports from English media indicate that these franchises are unlikely to consider Pakistani players, citing an "unwritten rule" that has historically seen Pakistani cricketers excluded from the IPL since its inaugural season in 2008, and largely from other Indian-owned T20 leagues like South Africa's SA20 and the UAE's ILT20. Northern Superchargers Renamed to Sunrisers Leeds Under New Owners Ahead of The Hundred 2026.

ECB's Stance and Calls for Inclusivity

The England and Wales Cricket Board has publicly maintained a stance of inclusivity, with an ECB spokesperson stating that The Hundred 'welcomes men's and women's players from all over the world and we would expect the eight teams to reflect that'.

Last year, ECB chief executive Richard Gould affirmed that players from all nations were expected to be selected and highlighted the presence of clear anti-discrimination policies within English cricket. However, conflicting reports have emerged, with a senior ECB official reportedly indicating to a player agent that interest in Pakistani players would be confined to teams without IPL affiliations. This perceived disparity has led to calls from former players, such as Michael Vaughan, for the ECB to address the issue proactively to ensure the sport remains inclusive.

The upcoming auction will be a critical test for The Hundred's commitment to global player representation. While Pakistani players have featured in previous editions of the tournament, the new ownership structure and the reported reluctance of Indian-linked franchises introduce a significant element of uncertainty. The cricket world will be watching closely to see how this situation unfolds and whether the spirit of fair opportunity prevails in the face of complex geopolitical and commercial dynamics.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 20, 2026 05:50 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).