![BCCI speaks on Abrar Ahmed joining Sunrisers [Source: X, AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1773395802334_BCCIspeaksonAbrarAhmedjoiningSunrisers.jpg?type=hq)
BCCI speaks on Abrar Ahmed joining Sunrisers [Source: X, AFP]
The Hundred 2026 auction witnessed a shocking turn of events as Sunrisers Leeds, the Indian-owned franchise in the league, acquired the services of Pakistan player Abrar Ahmed for a fee of approximately Rs 2.3 crore. Before the auction, reports circulated that the Hundred teams owned by IPL franchises would not run after Pakistan players, but the Sunrisers decided to go on a different route.
The Kavya Maran-owned Sunrisers went after Abrar Ahmed and bought him for a hefty amount. This decision triggered the Indian fan base as they criticised the team for buying a player from Pakistan.
Rajiv Shukla breaks silence on Sunrisers buying Abrar Ahmed
Speaking on the same issue, BCCI Vice-President Rajiv Shukla shrugged off the responsibility as he clearly stated that BCCI has no say in what the franchises are doing in other leagues, and it doesn’t fall in 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.
Sunrisers face public flak for purchasing Abrar Ahmed
Both the Trent Rockets and the Sunrisers Leeds went hard to buy the Pakistan spinner, but in the end, it was the Kavya Maran-owned team that got its hands on Abrar. However, immediately after purchasing him, the team received flak on social media.
The Indian fans criticised the team for going after a Pakistan player, and hours after their decision to buy Abrar, their social media account (X) was suspended, but no reason has been revealed.
Also Read: Why Did Shaheen Afridi Drop Abrar Ahmed For Haris Rauf In PAK Vs BAN 2nd ODI?
Why Abrar Ahmed's inclusion turned bad for Sunrisers
The India vs Pakistan relations worsened due to the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025. This led to the two nations having a cold-war situation on the field, and Abrar added fuel to the fire by making unnecessary gestures towards the Indian Army.
Before the Pahalgam attack, Abrar posted a photo on Instagram, holding a cup of tea with the caption "Fantastic Tea".
The post was widely interpreted by Indian fans as a mockery of IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, referencing the 2019 incident where he was captured in Pakistan, and he famously described the tea given to him as "fantastic."
As a result of his gesture, Indian fans had a negative perspection towards the spin-bowler.
Pakistan players in The Hundred
Interestingly, apart from Abrar, only one other player was signed by a franchise in The Hundred. Mystery spinner, Usman Tariq, was signed by Birmingham Phoenix, and the team is not owned by any IPL-owned side.
Apart from the two names mentioned, the others were snubbed by the Hundred franchises. The likes of Saim Ayub, Naseem Shah, Shadab Khan, and Haris Rauf were not picked despite them boasting decent stats in T20 cricket.
Two Women’s players also added their names in The Hundred auction, but they, too, were ignored as preference was given to other cricketers.
Also Read: SRH Owners Drag CSK To Court, MS Dhoni And Co In Trouble Before IPL 2026
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