Pakistani stars enter The Hundred draft amid IPL-linked concerns
2026-02-21 - 07:23
LONDON – A number of prominent Pakistani cricketers, including Saim Ayub, Usman Tariq, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf, have entered the draft for the upcoming edition of The Hundred, with more than 950 players registering for selection. The registration of over 50 Pakistani players has drawn attention amid ongoing debate about the role of Indian Premier League (IPL) investors in the English competition. The tournament is organised by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), which has partially privatised several franchises in recent seasons. No current Pakistan international has featured in the Indian Premier League since 2008. Participation in leagues associated with IPL franchise owners has also remained limited for Pakistani players. Although ECB Chief Executive Richard Gould previously stated that private investment would not impact the selection of Pakistani cricketers, recent reports have suggested that franchises linked to IPL ownership may refrain from bidding for them in the forthcoming auction. The ECB has denied receiving any formal communication supporting such claims. Former England captain Michael Vaughan called on the board to address the matter promptly, emphasising that the competition should reflect the inclusive values of the sport. The draft is scheduled to take place in London on March 11 for the women’s event and March 12 for the men’s. Pakistan’s limited-overs side has no international fixtures during The Hundred window, which runs from July 21 to August 16, potentially making players fully available for the tournament. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are not included in the preliminary list. Both players are expected to be engaged in Pakistan’s Test series against the West Indies in August, which would have limited their availability. Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman has also registered for the draft following the cancellation of his contract with Kolkata Knight Riders at the request of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Since its inception, only nine Pakistani cricketers have appeared in the first five editions of The Hundred. Scheduling conflicts with international commitments and last-minute withdrawals — including those of Afridi and Naseem Shah in 2024 — have previously influenced team selections. Currently, four IPL franchises hold ownership stakes in The Hundred, including Mumbai Indians, Lucknow Super Giants, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals, operating through their respective English-based teams. While sides associated with Delhi Capitals have previously signed Pakistani players such as Imad Wasim, Zaman Khan and Shan Masood, other IPL-linked teams have yet to recruit any Pakistan nationals. The ECB has reiterated its commitment to ensuring broad international representation. According to the board, nearly 1,000 cricketers from 18 countries have signed up for the auction, underlining the global appeal of the competition. The franchises are allowed to name up to four pre-draft signings, and the auction will begin with a special marquee category of players nominated by each team. Salary limits for the 2026 season have been increased to £2.05 million for men’s squads and £880,000 for women’s teams. In a further adjustment, the teams will be allowed to field four overseas players per match, up from three in previous editions. India beat Pakistan in high-voltage T20 World Cup match