From next season, half of the eight teams in the competition are at least partly owned by Indian Premier League (IPL) entities. The IPL has not featured Pakistani players since 2009. Despite ECB chief executive Richard Gould reminding new investors that he expected “players from all nations to be selected for all teams” and stressing the tournament’s anti-discrimination policies, the four IPL-linked sides are not expected to recruit from Pakistan.
Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave and Sunrisers Leeds are understood to be wary of potential political backlash in India amid ongoing tensions between the two countries. Their stance would mirror patterns seen in other leagues with IPL ownership.
In the International League T20, Major League Cricket and SA20, Indian-owned franchises have consistently avoided signing Pakistani players. All six SA20 teams are controlled by IPL groups, including the four now invested in the Hundred, and no Pakistani has featured in four seasons.
Agents representing Pakistani players described the situation as a “de facto” restriction, suggesting franchises are reluctant to risk political fallout in India, even if there is interest in the players. Pakistan internationals Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim appeared in last year’s Hundred.
An ECB spokesperson said it was unaware of any formal or informal ban, adding that the Hundred “welcomes men’s and women’s players from all over the world”. Nearly 1,000 players from 18 nations, including more than 50 from Pakistan, have registered for the auction.
Published on Feb 20, 2026
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