The England and Wales Cricket Board has said Pakistani players will not face discrimination in The Hundred, stressing that the competition will remain open to all.
In a statement on Tuesday, the ECB said it and all eight franchises “reaffirm their commitment to ensuring The Hundred continues to be a competition that is inclusive, welcoming and open to all.” The board also said that “all eight teams commit to selection being based solely on cricketing performance, availability, and the needs of each team.”
The message came after reports suggested that some teams might avoid picking Pakistani players in next month’s auction. The BBC had reported that four of the eight teams, Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave and Sunrisers Leeds, were not considering players from Pakistan, with political tensions between India and Pakistan seen as a possible reason.
In total, 67 Pakistani cricketers have entered the selection pool for the tournament. This group includes 63 men and four women who hope to secure contracts in the competition.
The debate has gained attention because Pakistani players have not taken part in the Indian Premier League since 2009 due to diplomatic tensions between the two nations. With several IPL owners now involved in teams across different leagues, there have been concerns that chances for Pakistani players in global tournaments could shrink further.
The Hundred auction is set to take place in London on March 11 and 12, when teams will finalise their squads for the upcoming season.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan was among those who called for the ECB to act on the rumours. He said the board owns the competition and should not allow such a situation to develop. He also pointed to the ECB’s aim of making cricket the most inclusive sport in England, saying that goal must be upheld.
With its latest statement, the ECB has tried to calm fears and make clear that player selection should be fair and based only on cricketing reasons, not nationality or politics.
