BCCI Distances Itself from Sunrisers Leeds' Abrar Ahmed Signing For The Hundred 2026, VP Rajeev Shukla Issues Statement (Watch Video)

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially clarified its position regarding the recent acquisition of Pakistani leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed by Sunrisers Leeds in The Hundred 2026 auction, a move that has ignited considerable debate among cricket enthusiasts. Sunrisers Leeds 'X' Account Restored After Temporary Suspension Following Kavya Maran-Owned Franchise Picked Abrar Ahmed at The Hundred 2026.

BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla stated that the Indian cricket board holds no jurisdiction over player selections in overseas franchise leagues, effectively distancing the BCCI from the controversial signing made by a team linked to the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad.

BCCI VP Rajeev Shukla Clarifies

BCCI's Stance on Overseas Leagues

Responding to the growing controversy, BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla issued a statement on Friday, emphasising that the matter falls outside the purview of the Indian cricket board. "It is not in our domain (IPL), they have done it for some foreign league. They will have to take a call; we cannot do anything," Shukla told ANI. He further clarified that the BCCI does not regulate overseas franchise tournaments, and the individual franchise retains the final authority in player selection for such competitions. This statement underscores the distinction between the IPL, where Pakistani players have been absent since the inaugural 2008 season due to political reasons, and other international leagues where Indian-owned entities operate.

Controversial Acquisition in The Hundred

On Thursday, 12 March 2026, Sunrisers Leeds, a franchise under the ownership of the Chennai-based Sun Group,  which also owns the IPL's Sunrisers Hyderabad, made headlines by drafting Pakistan's Abrar Ahmed. This acquisition for £190,000 (approximately INR 2.34 crore) marked a notable departure from the long-standing informal policy of Indian-owned franchises generally avoiding Pakistani players in various global leagues, a practice largely stemming from political tensions between India and Pakistan.

The move was particularly scrutinised given that Kaviya Maran, CEO of Sunrisers Hyderabad, was present at the auction table for Sunrisers Leeds. Reports prior to the auction had suggested that IPL-linked teams might continue a "shadow ban" on Pakistani cricketers, making this signing a significant talking point. Kavya Maran Faces Backlash After Abrar Ahmed Signed by IPL Team-Owned SunRisers Leeds at The Hundred Auction 2026.

Fan Reaction and Franchise Justification

The decision to sign Abrar Ahmed has been met with strong disapproval from a segment of Indian cricket fans, leading to widespread criticism on social media platforms. Hashtags such as #ShameOnSRH and #BoycottSunrisers gained traction, with some fans citing alleged past social media posts by Ahmed that were perceived as mocking Indian institutions. The intensity of the backlash was such that the official X (formerly Twitter) account of Sunrisers Leeds was reportedly suspended.

In response to the furore, Sunrisers Leeds head coach Daniel Vettori defended the signing, stating it was a purely cricketing decision. He explained that the team was prioritising a quality leg-spinner after missing out on Adil Rashid, and Abrar Ahmed was among the top candidates identified. Vettori affirmed that there was no internal discussion about avoiding Pakistani players, and the focus remained on building the best possible squad.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 13, 2026 03:52 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).