Sahibzada Farhan responded to reports that four Indian-owned teams will not be selecting Pakistan players in The Hundred auction. MI London, Manchester Super Giants, Sunrisers Leeds, and Southern Brave, all associated with IPL franchises, are expected to overlook players from Pakistan.
“We can’t control who picks us. It’s not up to us. We are ready to play if any franchises choose us,” Farhan stated before Pakistan’s second Super 8 match against England.
When asked about the lack of opportunities for Pakistan players in leagues tied to the IPL, he said, “We’re not competing for anyone’s attention.”
“Every player wants to participate in various leagues, and The Hundred is among the top leagues globally. We hope for the best,” he added.
A total of 67 cricketers, both male and female, from Pakistan have registered for the upcoming edition of The Hundred.
Players like Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Mohammad Amir have previously participated in the tournament.
No players from Pakistan have participated in SA20 since its launch in 2023 due to IPL-related ownership of franchises.
In the ILT20 in the UAE, Indian-connected franchises also have not signed any Pakistani players.
England’s white-ball captain Harry Brook expressed disappointment over potential non-participation of Pakistan players in The Hundred. “They are exceptional players with a large following. It would be a shame not to see them in the tournament as they raise the competition level,” Brook said.
The upcoming season of The Hundred will run from July 21 to August 16, with the player auction scheduled for March 11 and 12.
