The Abrar Ahmed Sunrisers Leeds signing has triggered a fierce online backlash after the Indian-owned Hundred franchise bought the Pakistan spinner in this week’s inaugural player auction. The move quickly drew attention because of the long-running political tensions between India and Pakistan, which have heavily shaped cricket ties between the two countries.
Sunrisers Leeds signed Abrar Ahmed for £190,000, making him the first Pakistani player to join an Indian-owned team in The Hundred. His signing eased earlier fears of an unofficial “shadow ban” on Pakistan players by IPL-linked franchises under the new tournament structure.
The backlash followed wider speculation that franchises linked to Indian Premier League ownership groups might avoid Pakistan players in the auction. Four Hundred teams MI London, Manchester Super Giants, Sunrisers Leeds and Southern Brave are at least partly owned by companies connected to IPL teams.
Sunrisers Leeds proceeded with the signing and secured Abrar despite the wider backdrop. Earlier, the England and Wales Cricket Board stated that all eight franchises would select players solely on merit and performance.
Following the announcement, some Indian cricket fans criticised the franchise online.
Reports also claimed that X suspended Sunrisers Leeds’ account overnight before restoring it later with a different follower base, while comments on X and Instagram continued to focus on Abrar’s signing.
The reaction then extended to Sunrisers Hyderabad’s social media accounts, which are part of the same ownership group. That shift broadened the discussion beyond The Hundred and escalated the signing into a wider cross-border cricket debate.
Abrar Ahmed was not the only Pakistani player to attract a bid in the men’s auction. Birmingham Phoenix selected Usman Tariq, while several other Pakistan players went unsold.
In the women’s auction, franchises did not select Pakistan players Fatima Sana and Sadia Iqbal. That outcome further fuelled discussion about how Pakistan players fared in the inaugural auction.
