Pakistani Cricketers Face Exclusion from Indian-Owned Teams in The Hundred

Pakistani cricketers may be excluded from participating in teams with Indian Premier League (IPL) ownership in the upcoming season of The Hundred, England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) flagship tournament. This development stems from long-standing diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan, impacting player participation in franchise cricket leagues.

The Hundred and IPL Connections

Four of The Hundred’s eight franchises – Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave and Sunrisers Leeds – have at least partial ownership ties to IPL teams Gulf News. This connection has led to an “unwritten rule” across T20 leagues with Indian investment, restricting the consideration of Pakistani players by these franchises Indian Express.

ECB’s Stance and Internal Discussions

A senior ECB official reportedly informed an agent that interest in Pakistani players would be limited to teams without IPL affiliations Gulf News. This contrasts with previous statements from ECB chief executive Richard Gould, who last year expressed expectations that “players from all nations” would be selected for all teams and emphasized the presence of anti-discrimination policies Gulf News.

Historical Context and League Trends

Pakistani players have not been included in the IPL since its inaugural season in 2008 due to the ongoing diplomatic issues Indian Express. This pattern extends to other T20 leagues with Indian investment, such as the SA20 in South Africa and the ILT20 in the United Arab Emirates Indian Express.

Franchise Responses and Tournament Details

While the ECB has stated that The Hundred welcomes players from all over the world, and expects teams to reflect that diversity Gulf News, responses from the affected franchises have been limited. James Sheridan, deputy chair of Manchester Super Giants, stated the focus is on securing the best possible squads Gulf News. The tournament is scheduled to run from July 21 to August 16, with a significant increase in player salaries following recent private investment Firstpost.

Player Registration

Nearly 1,000 cricketers from 18 nations have registered for The Hundred auction, including a substantial number of players from Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Pakistan, and the West Indies Gulf News.