ECB breaks silence, releases official statement on future of Pakistan players in The Hundred after reports of boycott

ECB asserted there is no room for discrimination and warned that strict action would be taken against any such conduct.

Updated on: Feb 25, 2026, 12:38:40 IST

Written by Aratrick Mondal

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The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the eight franchises of The Hundred issued a joint statement on Tuesday, breaking their silence on swirling rumours that at least four Indian-owned teams could overlook Pakistan players on grounds of nationality at next month’s auction. The ECB asserted there is no room for discrimination and warned that strict action would be taken against any such conduct.

67 Pakistani cricketers registered for The Hundred auction

According to a BBC report last week, four franchises linked to IPL team owners Manchester Super Giants (RPSG Group), MI London (Reliance), Southern Brave (GMR) and Sunrisers Leeds (Sun Group), were expected to bypass Pakistani players registered for the auction.

Pakistani cricketers have rarely featured in IPL-owned franchises in overseas leagues since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. However, they have not drawn significant interest in The Hundred even before Indian ownership entered the picture. Only two Pakistan players featured in last year’s tournament, and just nine in total have appeared across the first five seasons.

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“The Hundred was established to reach new audiences, grow the game of cricket and ensure that everyone — regardless of ethnicity, gender, faith, nationality or otherwise — feels they belong in our sport. Players must not be excluded on the grounds of nationality,” the joint statement from the ECB and all eight franchise owners read.

“As the governing body responsible for running the tournament, the ECB is committed to ensuring there is no place for discrimination and has regulations in place to take robust action against any such conduct.

“All eight teams commit to selection being based solely on cricketing performance, availability and the needs of each team,” the statement added.

A total of 67 Pakistan players — 63 men and four women — have registered for The Hundred auction, including almost the entire men’s T20 World Cup squad.

Earlier, Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan said he remained keen to participate in The Hundred despite the rumours, while England captain Harry Brook termed it “a shame” if Pakistan players were excluded. Veteran all-rounder Moeen Ali also warned that any nationality-based exclusion could potentially lead to legal consequences.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aratrick Mondal
Aratrick Mondal is a senior sports journalist based in New Delhi. In his eight years as a sports writer, Aratrick has worked at leading media organisations, including The Times of India, Times Now, Zee, India TV and currently works at a senior position at Hindustan Times Digital. He writes on cricket, football, pickleball and tennis, among other sports. He has extensively covered India's evolving cricket landscape, the country's new-found love for private leagues such as Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), Ultimate Kho Kho League (UKK), Rugby Premier League (RPL) and several tennis leagues. He has closely covered emerging sports such as pickleball. His coverage of major franchise events lends an atmospheric flavor to his ground reports. His recent story on how SA20 (the domestic cricket league of South Africa) had opened up its grounds to create a carnival-like fan experience garnered major international attention, including appreciation from major cricketers. Tennis holds a special place in his heart. Aratrick has built a strong niche in analytical tennis stories—ranging from Grand Slam narratives and player profiles to tactical breakdowns and ranking trends. His long-form features often decode grand slams, career highs and lows of tennis greats and the upward trajectory of emerging stars. He also closely follows India's tennis landscape, having covered the Davis Cup, Bengaluru Open and Tata Open, among others. His reporting is backed by strong data capabilities, with hands-on experience using tools like Python, Tableau, and Excel to produce visually rich, insight-led stories. This data-first approach enhances accuracy, transparency, and trust. In leadership roles, he has managed editorial shifts, overseen homepage strategy, optimised SEO workflows, and mentored peers to deliver consistent, high-traffic journalism. He recently won the HT DigiStar award for the third quarter of financial year 2025-26. Aratrick is trusted for his balanced reportage, sound sourcing, and ability to translate complex sporting events into engaging narratives that speak to a wide audience. He believes sports is for everyone, not just for the enthusiasts and has a unique ability to bring people together - just like the sumptuous meals you'll often find him cooking on a weekend evening.Read More

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