Post by : Shakul

Fourteen Pakistani men’s cricketers have been included in the preliminary auction list for The Hundred 2026, placing renewed focus on whether franchises with Indian ownership links will bid for players from Pakistan amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

The 247-player longlist features several high-profile international stars, with Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf among the headline names. Rauf has been placed in the “Marquee Players International” category with a top reserve price of £100,000, alongside global T20 stars such as Aiden Markram, David Miller, Daryl Mitchell, and Sunil Narine.

Strong Pakistan Representation in Top Tier

Six Pakistani internationals feature in the tournament’s top 50 “hero” category — the highest among overseas nations this year. Alongside Rauf, leading names include pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi, all-rounder Shadab Khan, spinner Usman Tariq, rising batter Saim Ayub, and mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed.

Ayub has reportedly opted for one of the highest reserve prices among Pakistan entrants, signaling growing international demand for emerging talent from the country.

Other Pakistani players listed in the auction pool include Muhammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Naseem Shah, Zaman Khan, Akif Javed, and Salman Mirza. Notably, in-form batter Sahibzada Farhan was absent from the final auction list despite strong recent performances.

Reports of ‘Shadow Ban’ and ECB Response

The inclusion of Pakistani players comes after media reports suggested that franchises connected to Indian Premier League ownership groups might avoid signing Pakistan players due to political tensions between the two countries.

Teams reportedly linked to IPL ownership structures include MI London, Sunrisers Leeds, Manchester Super Giants, and Southern Brave.

In response, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) issued a joint clarification with tournament organisers stating that no player would be excluded based on nationality. The governing body emphasized that selections must depend solely on cricketing merit, availability, and squad requirements.

Previous Participation and Auction Context

No Pakistani player secured a contract during the 2025 draft — the first such instance since the competition began in 2021, despite around 50 players registering that year.

However, Pakistan players have previously played significant roles in the tournament. In 2024, Naseem Shah represented Birmingham Phoenix, Mohammad Amir played for Oval Invincibles, Haris Rauf featured for Welsh Fire, and Usama Mir appeared for Manchester Originals. Six Pakistan cricketers also participated in the 2023 edition.

This year’s tournament schedule overlaps with a Pakistan Test series, which could impact the availability of centrally contracted players and influence franchise bidding strategies.

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