![Several Pakistan players have registered for The Hundred auction [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1771665123150_SeveralPakistanplayershaveregisteredforTheHundredauction.jpg?type=hq)
Several Pakistan players have registered for The Hundred auction [Source: AFP]
The Hundred 2026 season will commence in July, and the auction will take place in March, but even before the marquee event, controversy has hampered the tournament, and it revolves around the IPL franchises that own teams in England's premium competition.
The four Indian-owned teams in The Hundred, Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave and Sunrisers Leeds have reportedly decided not to buy Pakistan players in the auction, and this has stirred a fresh controversy in the India-Pakistan drama.
The BCCI, Indian cricket's governing body doesn't allow IPL teams to own Pakistan players, and it seems the same trend will continue in The Hundred.
Harry Brook starts protests against IPL owners
Political tensions between the two nations mean no Pakistani players have participated in the IPL since 2009, and with the IPL influence taking over England by storm, there is a good chance that a lot of Pakistan players may not get a team in the upcoming Hundred tournament.
Speaking on the same issue, IPL discard, and England captain, Harry Brook slammed the IPL owners, stating that it would be a shame if Pakistan cricketers are not allowed to participate in The Hundred.
"Pakistan have been a great cricket nation for many years.
"I think there's about 50 or 60 plyers in the auction and it would be a shame to not see some of them in there. There's some amazing cricketers and they bring some great crowds as well.
"It would be a shame to not see some of the Pakistan players in there and make this tournament and competition even better."
Also Read: Saim Ayub, Shaheen Afridi Openly Challenge IPL Teams In The Hundred
ECB backs Brook as IPL owners feel the heat
Not only Brook, but the same thought process is shared by the England Cricket Board as well. According to an ECB Spokesperson, all eight teams in the league should consider buying players from Pakistan.
"The Hundred welcomes men's and women's players from all over the world and we would expect the eight teams to reflect that."
If four franchises snub Pakistan players, they would only have the remaining four to bid for them- Welsh Fire, London Spirit, Birmingham Phoenix, and Trent Rockets. With more than 60 Pakistani stars registering themselves for the auction, not all will find a franchise due to the biased nature of the IPL-owned teams.
Other players who have staged a protest against IPL owners
Not only Brook, but former England cricketer Michael Vaughan has also voiced his opinion on the same matter. According to him, the ECB should step in to take matters into its own hands before it is too late.
He wrote on X: "The ECB need to act fast on this...they own the league and this should not be allowed to happen...the most inclusive sport in the country is not one that allows this to happen."
Pakistan players who have registered for The Hundred auction
Surprisingly, Babar Azam, and Mohammad Rizwan, the two star players, have not registered themselves for the auction, but 63 other cricketers from the nation have put forward their names.
Some of the big names include, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Saim Ayub, Usman Tariq, Shadab Khan, Muhammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah (all GBP 100,000 base price), Abrar Ahmed, Muhammad Amir, Zaman Khan, Usman Tariq (GBP 75,000), Faheem Ashraf, Shahibzada Farhan, Usama Mir, Imad Wasim, Abbas Afridi, Afaq Afridi and Asif Afridi (all GBP 50,000).
Also Read: Mitchell Marsh Recreates Kaif's 'On Paper Winner' Sentiment Despite Australia's Early Exit
