Abrar Ahmed picked by Sunrisers Leeds for The Hundred amid political tensions

LONDON: Leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed has been signed by Sunrisers Leeds for the upcoming season of The Hundred, despite ongoing concerns that Pakistani players might be excluded from the tournament due to political tensions between India and Pakistan.

The Sunrisers Leeds franchise, which has links to the Indian Premier League (IPL), selected Abrar Ahmed on Thursday. This move comes after speculation that Pakistani cricketers could be sidelined, given the longstanding diplomatic standoff between the two countries. Since 2009, Pakistani players have not featured in the IPL due to these tensions, and the two national teams only face each other in major international tournaments.

Last month, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) addressed these concerns by issuing a statement affirming that all eight city-based franchises in The Hundred were committed to selecting players based solely on their performances. The ECB's statement aimed to reassure that selection would not be influenced by political considerations.

In the recent auctions, Pakistani representation was limited. During Wednesday’s women’s auction, the only two Pakistani players—Fatima Sana and Sadia Iqbal—remained unsold. For the men’s auction held in London on Thursday, fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi withdrew his name, while pacer Haris Rauf did not receive any offers despite being listed with a reserve price of £100,000.

However, Sunrisers Leeds’ decision to acquire Abrar Ahmed marks a notable exception. The franchise’s move is seen as significant given the broader context of strained cricketing ties between India and Pakistan.

The Hundred, a 100-ball cricket competition, features eight city-based teams and has quickly established itself as a prominent tournament in the English domestic cricket calendar. The inclusion of Abrar Ahmed is expected to draw attention from cricket fans in Pakistan and beyond.