The Hundred’s inaugural player auction has triggered a broader discussion around whether Indian-backed franchises would consider signing Pakistan players.
Southern Brave Head Coach Hemang Badani confirmed that Pakistani cricketers had been shortlisted by his side during the auction process, he said while speaking to The Times of India, as debate intensified following Sunrisers Leeds’ decision to sign Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed.
Southern Brave considered Pakistan players at the auction
The auction featured a notable pool of Pakistan internationals, with 13 players entering the market. Despite speculation that franchises with Indian ownership might avoid them, teams evaluated several options during the selection process.
Badani acknowledged that Southern Brave had assessed Pakistani players during their planning.
“We had a few players in our list,” Hemang Badani told The Times of India while discussing the possibility of signing Pakistani players at the The Hundred player auction.
Ultimately, the franchise chose a different path as it refined its squad composition during the auction.
“The bottom line is that we’re looking at securing the best squad. And the best squad is what we felt the way we went forward. Because we had (Tristan) Stubbs already, we had Marcus Stoinis already. We were looking at either an overseas spinner or a local spinner. And we secured Adil Rashid,” he said.
Southern Brave secured England leg-spinner Adil Rashid during the auction for GBP 250,000 (approx. US$ 335K), a signing that helped finalise their spin resources.
“And then we went to Nikhil Chaudhary to be our all-rounder. So I think in most ways, you’re just looking at ensuring that you pick the best one,” he added.
Badani also highlighted the importance of maintaining discipline during the bidding process.
“The major thing about auctions is that you need to be disciplined and stick to your plan. Even when you feel the auction isn’t going in the direction you wanted, you still have to be patient and adapt quickly,” he noted.
Sunrisers Leeds defend historic Abrar Ahmed signing
While Southern Brave ultimately opted for Rashid, another Indian-linked franchise made headlines by selecting Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed.
Sunrisers Leeds, owned by the Sun Group which also runs IPL side Sunrisers Hyderabad, secured Abrar for GBP 190,000 (approx. US$ 255K), making him the first Pakistani player signed by an Indian-owned franchise in The Hundred.
Head Coach Daniel Vettori explained that the decision came after the team missed out on its initial spin target earlier in the auction.
“Once we missed out on Adil Rashid, who was our priority early on, we looked at overseas spinners. Abrar was one of four or five players on our radar, and we are very pleased to have him,” Daniel Vettori said while speaking to reporters after the The Hundred player auction in London.
Vettori rejected suggestions that nationality played any role in the franchise’s recruitment strategy.
“There wasn’t any discussion about not picking Pakistani players. We just focused on who was the best option,” he said.
Abrar’s skillset central to Headingley plans
The Leeds-based franchise believes Abrar’s unfamiliar style could prove valuable when the tournament begins later this year.
The Pakistan spinner has built a reputation as a mystery bowler, and Vettori suggested that the lack of exposure among English batters could work in the team’s favour.
“Not many English players have faced him, but he recently played in Australia. The feedback we got from the Australian players is that he is tricky to face, has many variations, and can strike in the powerplay and middle overs. That’s exactly what we need at Headingley, where spinners have been key. Having him in the team will make a big difference,” he added.
The signing has generated considerable reaction online, particularly among sections of fans in India. The debate intensified shortly after the announcement when the franchise’s official X account became inaccessible in the country following a surge of online criticism.
Despite the controversy, the auction has underscored a key reality for franchises across global leagues — recruitment decisions are increasingly driven by squad needs and competitive strategy rather than geopolitical considerations.
