The upcoming English domestic tournament, The Hundred, is set to hold its player draft on 11 and 12 March, attracting registrations from a wide pool of international talent. Among the registrants, 63 male and four female Pakistani cricketers have entered the draft. However, recent reports suggest that four franchises with Indian ownership will not be signing Pakistani players, a situation that England’s limited-overs captain Harry Brook described as “regrettable.”
Brook, a 26-year-old Yorkshire batsman, has already signed with the Indian-owned Sunrisers Leeds (formerly Northern Superchargers) for a salary of £465,000, making him the tournament’s highest-paid player. He previously captained the Superchargers for two seasons but has confirmed he will not lead the team this year.
Speaking ahead of England’s Super Eight clash against Sri Lanka, Brook emphasised that his current focus is on the T20 World Cup, stating:
“The Hundred is outside my control; the franchises will do what they see fit.”
On the absence of Pakistani players, Brook added:
“Pakistan has long been a strong cricketing nation, with some of the world’s best players. Not seeing any of them in The Hundred will be disappointing.”
Franchise Ownership and Eligibility
According to BBC reports, a senior ECB official indicated to player agents that only teams not linked to IPL franchises might consider signing Pakistani players. Out of the tournament’s eight franchises, four are partially owned by Indian IPL-linked companies:
| Franchise | IPL Connection | Ownership Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester Super Giants | Yes | Indian franchise-linked |
| MI London | Yes | Indian franchise-linked |
| Southern Brave | Yes | Indian franchise-linked |
| Sunrisers Leeds | Yes | Indian franchise-linked |
The remaining four franchises have no IPL ownership:
| Franchise | IPL Connection | Ownership Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham Phoenix | No | Independent UK ownership |
| London Spirit | No | Independent UK ownership |
| Trent Rockets | No | Independent UK ownership |
| Welsh Fire | No | Independent UK ownership |
Historical Context
The exclusion of Pakistani players reflects a broader trend in franchise cricket, influenced by political tensions between India and Pakistan. Since 2009, no Pakistani cricketers have participated in the Indian Premier League (IPL), and similar patterns have emerged in other franchise leagues.
For instance:
| League | Inception | Pakistani Players | Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| SA20 (South Africa) | 2023 | 0 | Six teams all linked to IPL franchises |
| ILT20 (UAE) | 2019 | 0 | Four seasons, players from 15 countries signed, no Pakistanis |
The issue has drawn attention from former England captain Michael Vaughan, who has urged the ECB to take swift action to ensure inclusivity in the tournament.
As The Hundred approaches, the absence of Pakistani players underscores how geopolitical tensions continue to shape cricketing opportunities, influencing both player participation and the commercial dynamics of global franchise leagues.