Sunrisers Leeds Face Backlash After Signing Pakistan Spinner Abrar Ahmed in The Hundred 2026
A major controversy erupted in the cricketing world after the Sunrisers franchise signed Pakistani mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed during the auction for The Hundred 2026. The decision triggered strong reactions from Indian cricket fans, with many criticizing the franchise for signing a Pakistani player despite the long-standing absence of Pakistani cricketers in the Indian Premier League.
The backlash intensified when the official social media account of Sunrisers Leeds was reportedly suspended shortly after the signing, further fueling speculation and debate across social media platforms.
The development highlights the sensitive political and sporting dynamics that continue to influence cricket relations between India and Pakistan.
Abrar Ahmed Picked for $255,000 in The Hundred Auction
During the auction for the 2026 edition of The Hundred, Sunrisers Leeds secured the services of Abrar Ahmed for $255,000, making him one of the few Pakistani players to earn a contract in the tournament.
Abrar, who gained international attention for his unique spin bowling style, has represented the Pakistan national cricket team in international formats and is known for his ability to trouble batsmen with variations.
His inclusion in the Sunrisers squad marked a notable shift, as the Sunrisers franchise had historically not signed Pakistani players in any of its teams.
Apart from Sunrisers Leeds in England, the franchise also owns teams in other global T20 leagues, including:
- Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL
- Sunrisers Eastern Cape in South Africa’s SA20
Because Pakistani players have been absent from the IPL for more than a decade, many fans expected Indian-owned franchises to continue a similar approach in other tournaments as well.
ECB’s Strict Position on Player Selection
The controversy also reflects the stance taken by the England and Wales Cricket Board, which oversees The Hundred tournament.
According to reports, the ECB made it clear to franchise owners that player selection in the tournament must remain free from nationality-based discrimination.
The board reportedly informed franchises that all eligible players should be considered fairly during the auction process, regardless of political tensions between their home countries.
This position aligns with the ECB’s broader aim to ensure that The Hundred remains an international and inclusive competition, attracting players from across the global cricketing community.
Social Media Backlash from Indian Fans
Despite the ECB’s stance, the signing of Abrar Ahmed triggered significant criticism from sections of Indian cricket fans online.
Many users expressed disappointment that an Indian-owned franchise chose to recruit a Pakistani player, given the long-standing cricketing divide between India and Pakistan.
The backlash quickly escalated on social media platforms, where users reportedly began mass-reporting the Sunrisers Leeds Twitter account.
Soon after, the account appeared to be suspended, although no official explanation was provided regarding the reason for the suspension.
When users attempted to access the account, they were met with a message indicating that the account had been suspended.
While the exact cause remains unclear, the timing of the suspension led to speculation that it may have been related to the online backlash.
Sun TV Group’s Ownership of the Franchise
The Sunrisers Leeds franchise recently came under the control of the Indian media conglomerate Sun TV Network.
The group acquired a 49 percent stake from the ECB, while the remaining 51 percent share was purchased from Yorkshire County Cricket Club.
Before the acquisition, the team was known as Northern Superchargers, one of the original franchises participating in The Hundred.
Following the ownership change, the franchise was rebranded as Sunrisers Leeds, aligning it with the Sunrisers brand used by the group’s other teams worldwide.
The signing of Abrar Ahmed therefore became the first instance of the Sunrisers brand recruiting a Pakistani cricketer, making it a notable moment in franchise history.
Only Two Pakistani Players Sold in the Auction
Despite several Pakistani players entering the auction pool, only two managed to secure contracts in The Hundred 2026.
Alongside Abrar Ahmed, spinner Usman Tariq was signed by Birmingham Phoenix for $187,000.
The limited number of signings suggests that franchises remained cautious about recruiting Pakistani players, possibly due to political sensitivities or team composition strategies.
Big Pakistani Stars Go Unsold
Several prominent Pakistani cricketers surprisingly went unsold in the auction despite their strong performances in other leagues.
Players who failed to attract bids included:
- Shadab Khan
- Saim Ayub
- Haris Rauf
The omission of Haris Rauf particularly surprised many analysts. The fast bowler had recently delivered an impressive season with the Melbourne Stars in Australia’s Big Bash League, where he finished as the leading wicket-taker for the team.
Despite these achievements, franchises chose not to bid for him during the auction.
Shaheen Afridi Pulled Out Before the Auction
Another high-profile absence from the auction was Shaheen Afridi, the ODI captain of the Pakistan national team.
Afridi withdrew from the tournament before the auction began, meaning he was not available for selection by any franchise.
His absence removed one of Pakistan’s most prominent international players from the auction pool.
No Contracts for Pakistani Women Players
The men’s competition was not the only area where Pakistani players struggled to find opportunities.
Reports indicated that no Pakistani players were selected in the Women’s Hundred competition either.
The outcome reflects the highly competitive nature of the tournament, where franchises must balance international stars with domestic English players while staying within strict squad limits.
The Hundred 2026 to Begin in July
The 2026 edition of The Hundred is scheduled to begin on July 21, 2026, featuring some of the biggest names in international cricket.
Since its launch, the tournament has aimed to introduce a shorter and more accessible format of the game, with each innings consisting of 100 balls instead of the traditional 120-ball T20 format.
The league has attracted players from around the world and has quickly become one of the most watched franchise tournaments in England.
However, the controversy surrounding Abrar Ahmed’s signing demonstrates how geopolitical tensions can still influence fan reactions in global cricket leagues.
Summary
Sunrisers Leeds sparked controversy after signing Pakistani spinner Abrar Ahmed for $255,000 during the auction for The Hundred 2026. The move drew strong criticism from sections of Indian fans because Pakistani players have been absent from the Indian Premier League for years.
Shortly after the signing, the Sunrisers Leeds social media account was suspended, though no official reason was provided. The franchise, owned by Sun TV Network, had previously been known as the Northern Superchargers.
Only two Pakistani players—Abrar Ahmed and Usman Tariq—were sold in the auction, while several big names including Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan went unsold.
The tournament is scheduled to begin on July 21, 2026.
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