![Why Babar Azam, Rizwan are not playing in The Hundred [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1771583625210_WhyBabarAzam,RizwanarenotplayinginTheHundred.jpg?type=hq)
Why Babar Azam, Rizwan are not playing in The Hundred [Source: AFP]
In the latest development, more than 50 Pakistani players have registered for The Hundred 2026 auction, and some of the big names include Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Usman Tariq. However, eyebrows were raised as there was no mention of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.
The duo took part in the BBL 2025-26 season, but they ignored The Hundred, and the decision came as a surprise since most of the big players in Pakistan had given their names for the auction, barring the two.
Explaining the reason why Babar, Rizwan ignored The Hundred
However, there is a logical explanation as to why the two star players from Pakistan chose to snub The Hundred, unlike their other teammates. The Hundred 2026 will commence on July 21, and during the same time frame, the Pakistan side is set to travel to the West Indies to take part in a Test series, which will be a part of the WTC cycle.
Despite failing to deliver the goods in the T20I and ODIs, both Rizwan, and Babar are an integral member of the Test team for Pakistan, and the management needs two of their best players for the tricky away tour of the West Indies.
The Pakistan side has been going through turmoil in Tests as they finished last in the WTC 2023-25 points table, and they currently occupy the fifth spot as the team needs a clear direction to dominate in whites. The side drew their last home series against South Africa, and hence, Pakistan need its best players (Babar, and Rizwan), to play in the West Indies series.
Another logical reason for the duo to snub The Hundred was their performances in the BBL 2025-26. Babar represented the Sydney Sixers and had a shambolic tournament, scoring only 202 runs in 11 matches, with a strike rate of 103.06.
On the other hand, Rizwan played for Melbourne Renegades, and he, too, failed, scoring only 187 runs, with a strike rate of 102. Perhaps, the two know that the franchises in The Hundred might not be interested in acquiring them due to their poor BBL stats.
Also Read: Saim Ayub, Shaheen Afridi Openly Challenge IPL Teams In The Hundred
Pakistan players who have registered in The Hundred auction
According to Cricbuzz, at least 63 Pakistan players have put forward their names for the auction, and some big names are 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).
Why Pakistan players may regret putting forward their names
According to reports, the IPL-owned Hundred teams are not considering bidding for the Pakistan players in the upcoming auction. Players from Pakistan have not featured in the IPL since 2009 for diplomatic reasons, and the trend is set to continue in The Hundred.
Four of The Hundred's eight franchises - Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave and Sunrisers Leeds - are now at least part-owned by companies that control IPL teams, and reportedly, the interest in Pakistan players will be limited in the auction, which is set to take place on March 11, and 12.
Out of the 8 teams, four are partially or fully-owned by the IPL franchises, and the Pakistan players will hope that the remaining four teams could bid for them in the auction.
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