IPL Owners Block Pakistan Players in The Hundred? BBC Report Sparks Debate
- Teams in The Hundred with Indian ownership may not consider Pakistani players.
- Four franchises now linked to IPL owners: Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave, Sunrisers Leeds.
- BBC reports interest in Pakistan players may be limited to non-IPL-owned teams.
- ECB insists The Hundred remains open to players from all nations.
- Player salaries expected to rise significantly in the 2026 season due to private investment.
Pakistani Players Unlikely to Feature for IPL-Linked Teams in The Hundred 2026
In a development that could significantly impact player participation in the upcoming season of The Hundred, franchises backed by Indian Premier League (IPL) investors are reportedly unlikely to consider Pakistani players for selection.
The new season of The Hundred is scheduled to run from July 21 to August 16, and is expected to witness a substantial financial boost following private investment in four of its eight franchises. However, despite the anticipated rise in player salaries, Pakistani cricketers may not benefit from the financial windfall if they remain excluded from IPL-linked teams.
Indian Investment Reshapes The Hundred Landscape
Four franchises — Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave, and Sunrisers Leeds — are now linked to IPL ownership groups. The new ownership structures officially came into effect on October 1, 2025.
This development has raised questions over player recruitment policies. According to a BBC report, a senior official from the England and Wales Cricket Board reportedly informed an agent that interest in Pakistani players would likely be limited to teams without IPL ownership ties.
The BBC quoted:
“A senior official from the ECB indicated to an agent that interest in his Pakistan players would be limited to sides not linked to the IPL.”
Another agent described the scenario as an “unwritten rule” across global T20 leagues where Indian investments are involved.
Historical Context: Pakistan and IPL Links
Pakistani cricketers have not featured in the Indian Premier League since 2009. Furthermore, no Pakistani player has ever participated in South Africa’s SA20 tournament, where all six teams are owned by IPL franchise groups.
A similar pattern has reportedly emerged in the ILT20 competition, where franchises linked to IPL ownership have not signed Pakistani players despite recruiting talent from multiple other nations.
ECB Stands Firm on Inclusivity
Despite the controversy, the ECB has reiterated its commitment to inclusivity.
An ECB spokesperson said:
“The Hundred welcomes men’s and women’s players from all over the world, and we would expect the eight teams to reflect that. Almost 1,000 cricketers from 18 nations have registered for The Hundred auction, with over 50 players each from Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Pakistan, and the West Indies.”
This suggests that while IPL-linked teams may exercise discretion, the tournament itself remains officially open to all eligible players.
Franchise Response
James Sheridan, deputy chair of Manchester Super Giants, avoided direct commentary on the matter, stating:
“The only conversations we’ve had are to pick the two best squads to give us the best possible chance of winning the two competitions.”
His remarks indicate that franchises are publicly maintaining a merit-based selection stance.
Players Previously Involved
Last season saw players such as Imad Wasim feature for Northern Superchargers (now rebranded as Sunrisers Leeds). Other Pakistani stars including Mohammad Amir, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, and Haris Rauf have previously played in The Hundred.
However, notably, no Pakistani female cricketer has participated in the women’s competition to date.
World Cricketers’ Association Weighs In
Tom Moffat, chief executive of the World Cricketers’ Association, emphasized the principle of fairness:
“Every player should have the right to fair and equal opportunity. While employers have autonomy in recruitment, those decisions should always align with principles of fairness, equality, and respect.”
What This Means for The Hundred 2026
With player salaries expected to surge due to private investment, The Hundred’s 2026 edition could become one of the most lucrative franchise tournaments outside the IPL. However, geopolitical undercurrents and ownership dynamics appear poised to influence squad compositions.
As the July auction approaches, all eyes will be on whether Pakistani players are picked by non-IPL-linked franchises — and whether the “unwritten rule” continues to shape modern franchise cricket.
