Former England captain Michael Vaughan has sparked a discussion online after urging the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to intervene. This comes after reports that franchises owned by IPL might exclude Pakistan players from the auction for The Hundred 2026.
This situation has reignited debates about franchise ownership, political issues, and the possibility of cricket being unaffected by geopolitics. While Vaughan’s statement aimed to promote inclusion, some commentators pointed out England’s own recent sporting choices.
Michael Vaughan calls for ECB intervention amid reports of IPL franchises excluding Pakistan players from The Hundred 2026
The discussion started when it was suggested that franchises associated with Indian Premier League owners may not bid for Pakistan players at the upcoming auction for The Hundred 2026. Although no official rule has been confirmed, the rumors sparked significant reactions on social media.
Vaughan took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his concerns and urged the ECB to take action.
“The ECB needs to act fast on this. They own the league, and this should not be allowed to happen. The most inclusive sport in the country is not one that allows this to happen,” Vaughan stated.
