Sunrisers Hyderabad owners face backlash for signing Pakistan cricketer in The Hundred

Owners of Indian Premier League team Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Friday faced criticism on social media after one of their teams, Sunrisers Leeds, signed Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed during The Hundred auction earlier this week.

The leg-spinner was signed by the side for £190,000 ($252,000), and the move led to calls on social media to boycott the Sunrisers ahead of the 2026 season. SRH plays the season opener against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on March 28.

In the lead up to The Hundred auction, there was speculation that teams owned by Indians, MI London, Manchester Super Giants, Sunrisers Leeds and Southern Brave, will not select players from Pakistan. Due to political and military disputes between India and Pakistan, no Pakistani has featured in the IPL since 2009.

However, the England and Wales Cricket Board subsequently issued a statement claiming all eight franchises in the competition were committed to selection based solely on performances.

Usman Tariq was the only other Pakistani player signed in the auction, picked up by the American-owned Birmingham Phoenix.

Published on Mar 13, 2026