The Hundred Auction and Mohsin Naqvi - (Source: AFP)
On Wednesday, March 11, the ECB conducted its first-ever auction for The Hundred. Notably, 178 women cricketers went under the hammer for The Hundred 2026 auction. Eyes were on two Pakistani cricketers - Fatima Sana and Sadia Iqbal because there were reports that the IPL-backed franchises might boycott them.
For the unversed, four of the eight teams are now backed by IPL - Oval Invincibles are now MI London (Mumbai Indians), the Northern Superchargers became Sunrisers Leeds (SRH), and the Manchester Originals became Manchester Super Giants (LSG). The Southern Brave franchise retained its name despite being co-owned by the Delhi Capitals’ GMR Group.
Fatima Sana and Sadia Iqbal Go Unsold In The Hundred 2026 Auction
Pakistani fans’ worst nightmare came true on March 11 when Fatima Sana and Sadia Iqbal found no bidders. Notably, the two figures registered for the auction at a base price of 15,000 pounds each. Despite that, none of the eight teams showed interest in these Pakistani cricketers.
Notably, Muneeba Ali and Diana Baig had also registered for the auction, but they did not make it to the final list. Now, no Pakistani cricketer will be seen in action in Women’s Hundred 2026, set to begin from July 21 to August 16.
The fans were shocked to see the two cricketers going unsold because they have done well recently. Sadia took 6 wickets in 3 matches against South Africa women, while Fatima Sana scored 117 runs in three games against the Rainbow Nation.
IPL Backed Teams Refute Boycott Claims
As mentioned above, there were reports that the IPL-backed teams might boycott Pakistani players because of the geopolitical situations between India and Pakistan. The two nations nearly went to war in 2025 and had limited ties with each other.
IPL is now having a growing influence across the world, and the teams have respected national sentiments by not penning any deal with Pakistani cricketers. Therefore, the world cricket body was quick to react to the boycott claims and pressured the ECB to take action.
The apex cricket board of England assured the protesters that all teams have been informed not to target anyone and pick or refuse a player based on merit. The explanation was also stamped by all the Hundred franchises.
Therefore, Fatima Sana and Sadia Iqbal have gone unsold on merit as teams that aren’t backed by IPL teams.
Pakistan Men’s Cricketers Panic
On March 12, the men's cricketers will go under the hammer. Unlike women, 63 Pakistani cricketers had registered for The Hundred auction, but only 14 players made it to the final list. Now, they too fear facing the same rejection as they are unlikely to get any backing from IPL-backed teams.
There are also reports that Shaheen Afridi has apparently pulled out of the auction. Now, with the increased presence of IPL in The Hundred, Pakistan players'
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