Pakistan leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed has been signed by Sunrisers Leeds for £190,000 in the men’s auction for The Hundred, marking a notable moment amid earlier reports that Indian-owned franchises might avoid selecting Pakistani players.
The 27-year-old was picked after Sunrisers Leeds opened bidding at £130,000 and increased their offer to secure the deal despite competition from Trent Rockets. The signing comes months after media reports suggested some Indian-owned teams in the UK-based competition might not consider Pakistani cricketers due to political tensions between India and Pakistan.
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In response to those reports earlier this year, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and all eight franchises said players would not be excluded from selection on the basis of nationality.
Abrar Ahmed has played 38 Twenty20 internationals for Pakistan since his debut in 2024, taking 52 wickets with an economy rate of 6.67.
Other Pakistan players in the auction
Trent Rockets, who are not Indian-owned, also attempted to sign Pakistani spinner Usman Tariq. He was eventually picked by Birmingham Phoenix for £140,000.
Meanwhile, Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan and fast bowler Haris Rauf went unsold in the auction.
Pakistani players have largely been absent from India’s Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2009.
Key picks in The Hundred auction
Sussex all-rounder James Coles became the most expensive player in the first half of the auction after being signed by London Spirit for £390,000.
Welsh Fire also secured former England captain Joe Root and wicketkeeper-batter Jordan Cox.
The Hundred, which uses a unique 100-ball format, is scheduled to run from July 21 to August 16 in England and Wales. The competition opened to private investment last year, with four franchises acquired by owners linked to Indian Premier League teams.
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