Abrar Ahmed’s Sunrisers Inclusion Held Responsible For Indian Soldiers’ Death

Gavaskar slams Sunrisers for buying Abrar Ahmed [Source: AFP, X]

Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has lambasted the Sunrisers Leeds for investing money in buying Pakistan spinner, Abrar Ahmed, in The Hundred 2026 auction. The Kavya Maran-owned franchise spent a hefty £190,000, roughly ₹2.3 crore, on purchasing the spinner, and Gavaskar feels the backlash the franchise is receiving is understandable.

There are four teams in The Hundred that are owned by the IPL franchises, and one of them is the Sunrisers Leeds. Reportedly, these franchises were not interested in buying players from Pakistan, but the Sunrisers gave a shocker as they went all the way to acquire Abrar’s services.

Gavaskar takes dig at Kavya Maran's Sunrisers for buying Abrar Ahmed

Minutes after purchasing Abrar, the Indian fans lost their cool as the franchise received heavy backlash on social media, and their X handle was also suspended for a brief period. Just like the Indian public, Gavaskar has the same thought process, as he reminded people of the history between the two nations.

Gavaskar cited the Pahalgam terror attack last year and reminded the everyone that the money spent on Pakistan players contributes to the death of Indian soldiers.

“The furore created by the acquisition of a Pakistani player by the Indian owner of a franchise in The Hundred is hardly surprising. Ever since the Mumbai attacks in November 2008, Indian franchise owners have simply ignored Pakistani players for the IPL. Although belated, the realisation that the fees that they pay to a Pakistani player, who then pays income tax to his government which buys arms and weapons, indirectly contributes to the deaths of Indian soldiers and civilians is making Indian entities refrain from even considering having Pakistani artistes and sportspersons,” Gavaskar wrote in his column for Mid-day.

Also Read: Delhi Capitals Head Coach Makes Shocking Pakistan Claim Amid Sunrisers-Abrar Ahmed Saga

Winning a tournament more important than lives? Gavaskar questions

The franchise faced heavy backlash for investing in Abrar Ahmed, but ironically, according to Sunrisers head coach Daniel Vettori, Abrar wasn’t their only Pakistan target as the franchise was also interested in buying Usman Tariq.

According to the 76-year-old Indian legend, Vettori, who hails from New Zealand, might not understand the sensitivity of the India-Pakistan situation, but the owners who are Indians should have made a better judgment.

“Whether it is an Indian entity or an overseas subsidiary of the entity that is making the payment, if the owner is Indian, then he or she is contributing to the Indian casualties. It’s as simple as that. Daniel Vettori, the coach of the team in The Hundred who hails from New Zealand, may not understand this simple dynamic, and so may have wanted some Pakistani players in his team, but surely the owner should have had an understanding of the situation and discouraged the purchase. Is winning a tournament in a format that no other country plays in much more important than Indian lives?” Gavaskar stated.

BCCI breaks silence on Indian-owned franchise buying Pakistan star

A day after the Sunrisers made a shocking call to buy the Pakistan spinner, BCCI Vice-President released his official statement, wherein he clearly mentioned that the BCCI has no say in what the IPL franchises are doing in other leagues, and it doesn’t fall under their domain.

“Our domain is limited to the IPL. We have nothing to do with what they do in a league outside that. How can we interfere with them signing a player in a foreign league. That’s upto them. It’s purely upto the franchise who have bough a team outside India. If they are taking some player outside India in that league, we are least concerned because, in IPL there is no such player,” Shukla told to ANI.

The Hundred 2026 season commences on July 21, and interestingly, Abrar Ahmed’s Sunrisers will take on the MI London in the opening fixture.

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