List of Pakistan Players Sold and Unsold at The Hundred Auction 2026

The inaugural full player auction for the 2026 edition of The Hundred has delivered a series of surprises for the Pakistan contingent. In a high-stakes event held in London on Thursday, 12 March, two of Pakistan's rising bowling talents secured lucrative contracts, while some of the nation’s most established T20 veterans faced a difficult afternoon as they failed to attract bids.

The auction took place against a backdrop of scrutiny regarding the participation of Pakistani players, following the recent acquisition of stakes in several franchises by groups with ties to the Indian Premier League (IPL). ‘Aj Phir LEARN Hai’, Pakistan Funny Memes Go Viral As Top-Order Collapses to 77 for 7 in PAK vs BAN 1st ODI 2026.

Pakistan Players Sold at The Hundred Auction 2026

The headline story for Pakistan was the successful bidding for Usman Tariq. The "mystery spinner," whose unconventional action has been a major talking point throughout the ongoing 2026 T20 World Cup, was the first Pakistani player sold. He was snapped up by Birmingham Phoenix for a substantial £140,000 (approx. ₹1.73 Crore).

Joining him in the competition is leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed, who secured a major deal with Sunrisers Leeds (the sister franchise of Kavya Maran owned SunRisers Hyderabad). Ahmed was bought for £190,000 (approx. ₹2.34 Crore), making him one of the most expensive overseas spin specialists in the tournament's history.

High-Profile Snubs and Withdrawals

Despite the success of the spinners, the auction was a sobering event for several of Pakistan's premier fast-bowling and all-round options. Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan, both of whom had entered the pool with a top-tier base price of £100,000, went unsold. Analysts suggested that a combination of high reserve prices and limited overseas slots led franchises to look elsewhere.

Furthermore, Shaheen Shah Afridi, who was originally listed in the Marquee Players category, was among five international stars who withdrew their names just hours before the bidding began. Senior batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan had opted not to enter the auction pool entirely earlier this month.

Pakistan Players: Sold and Unsold (Men's Auction)

Converted at the current exchange rate of £1 = ₹123.44

The "IPL Factor" Controversy

The auction results have reignited debates over the perceived "shadow ban" of Pakistani players in leagues owned by Indian conglomerates. However, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the eight franchises issued a joint clarification today, stating that all selections were made based on "performance, availability, and the specific strategic needs of each team."

The signing of Abrar Ahmed by the IPL-linked Sunrisers Leeds is being cited by many as a sign that performance remains the primary metric for recruitment, despite the complex geopolitical landscape surrounding the sport.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 12, 2026 09:16 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).