The Hundred Auction: Indian-Owned Team Signs Pakistan Star, Stirs Controversy
The 2026 player auction for The Hundred delivered both major signings and a wave of debate after an Indian owned franchise secured the services of Pakistan mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed for £190,000. The move was significant because it challenged earlier fears that franchises linked to the Indian Premier League might avoid signing Pakistani players. While the deal appeared to dispel those concerns, it also sparked criticism on social media and reopened conversations about politics, nationality and the growing influence of franchise ownership in global cricket.
- Krishna Sagar
- 3 min read
Pakistan mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed became one of the most talked about names at the 2026 auction for The Hundred after being signed for £190,000 by Sunrisers Leeds. The signing carried significance beyond cricketing value. Sunrisers Leeds is owned by the same group behind the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League.
In the weeks leading up to the auction, there had been growing speculation that teams with IPL links might avoid signing Pakistani players because of political tensions between India and Pakistan.
Those rumors had created a difficult situation for the England and Wales Cricket Board, which oversees The Hundred. The governing body publicly denied that any such restrictions existed and released a joint statement from all eight franchises confirming that players would not be excluded based on nationality.
Ahmed’s signing therefore became an important moment for the tournament. It suggested that those fears of a quiet exclusion of Pakistani cricketers may have been overstated. However, the deal quickly sparked debate online. Some social media users began circulating older posts attributed to Ahmed that were critical of India, directing criticism toward the franchise’s ownership for signing the spinner.
1. Pakistani Presence at the Auction
Ahmed was not the first Pakistani player to attract attention during the auction. Earlier in the proceedings, mystery spinner Usman Tariq secured a contract with Birmingham Phoenix for £140,000. Unlike Sunrisers Leeds, Birmingham Phoenix does not have IPL ownership ties.
Tariq’s deal guaranteed that Pakistan would have at least one representative in the 2026 edition of the tournament. However, the overall auction results painted a mixed picture for Pakistani players.
Several notable names either withdrew or went unsold. Star fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi withdrew from the auction shortly before bidding began, while fellow quick Haris Rauf failed to attract any offers when his reserve price of £100,000 came up. The women’s auction produced similar outcomes.
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana and spinner Sadia Iqbal both went unsold, leaving the country without female representation in the competition this season. Those results ensured that the debate around nationality and selection did not fully disappear.
2. Debate Over Ownership and Politics
Despite those impressive signings, the conversation surrounding The Hundred quickly returned to the broader political and ownership questions. The growing presence of IPL investors within the tournament has transformed its financial structure and global reach. However, it has also introduced complicated geopolitical dynamics.
For many observers, the signing of Abrar Ahmed by an IPL linked franchise symbolized a potential shift toward a more open and inclusive approach. For critics online, the situation quickly turned controversial.
Old social media posts linked to Ahmed resurfaced shortly after the signing, with some users pointing to comments they described as anti India. Those posts fueled criticism directed at the franchise for signing the Pakistani spinner.
The ECB had hoped the auction would demonstrate that The Hundred operates independently of international political tensions. The events surrounding Ahmed’s signing partially supported that claim while simultaneously revealing how easily those tensions can resurface.
3. A Big Day for Domestic Talent
While the international storylines dominated headlines, the biggest financial success of the auction belonged to an English domestic player.
James Coles emerged as the most expensive signing of the day. The 21 year old Sussex all rounder secured a stunning £390,000 deal with London Spirit. Coles is widely regarded as one of England’s most promising young players. His ability to contribute with both bat and left arm spin made him an attractive option for several teams
Among those signed earlier in the auction were England great Joe Root and last season’s tournament MVP Jordan Cox.
Both players were picked up by Welsh Fire for £240,000 and £300,000 respectively. Coles’ £390,000 deal therefore became one of the most surprising financial outcomes of the auction.