A fresh debate has emerged ahead of the upcoming The Hundred draft, with reports suggesting that franchises partially owned by Indian investors may not select Pakistani cricketers. Both BBC Sport and The Telegraph have indicated that this trend could continue despite assurances of equal opportunity for all players.
From next season, four of The Hundred’s eight franchises will be partially owned by investors with Indian Premier League (IPL) ties. Pakistani players have been barred from IPL participation since 2009, raising questions over their prospects in England’s flagship tournament.
Last year, ECB chief executive Richard Gould reminded new franchise owners that “players from all countries should have the opportunity to be selected by all teams.” A board spokesperson confirmed that nearly 1,000 players from 18 countries have registered for the draft, including more than 50 from Pakistan.
According to sources cited by BBC, a senior official suggested to agents that IPL-linked teams may show limited interest in Pakistani players. One agent described it as “an unwritten rule,” highlighting similar trends observed in leagues with Indian investment.
The franchises named in the report with IPL-associated ownership include Manchester Originals, Oval Invincibles, Southern Brave, and Northern Superchargers. While three teams declined to comment, a deputy chair of one franchise said: “Our priority is building the strongest squads for both competitions; no other discussions have taken place.”
Pakistani cricketers have featured in prior editions of The Hundred, with Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim participating last season. Earlier participants included Shaheen Afridi, Shadab Khan, and Haris Rauf. The arrival of new investors appears to have shifted the landscape, limiting opportunities for players from Pakistan.
This trend is not unique to The Hundred. In South Africa’s SA20 and the UAE’s ILT20, teams linked to IPL ownership have similarly avoided signing Pakistani cricketers. One agent noted: “Officially, no one will say anything, but the reality is clear opportunities for Pakistani players in Indian-owned teams remain extremely limited.”
