ECB warns Hundred franchises over obligations as Pakistan players face possible snub: Report

More than 60 Pakistani cricketers have registered for The Hundred’s inaugural player auctions next month

Updated on: Feb 22, 2026, 19:57:58 IST

Written by Aratrick Mondal

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The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) came under scrutiny earlier this week after reports suggested that Pakistan players could be overlooked by the four Indian-owned teams at The Hundred’s inaugural player auctions next month, for which more than 60 Pakistani cricketers have registered. However, according to a recent BBC report, the ECB has written to all eight franchises, reminding them of their obligations.

67 Pakistan players signed up for The Hundred auction

Earlier, BBC reported that Pakistan cricketers may not be considered by the new Indian investors, similar to their long-standing absence from the IPL. Following the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, only a handful of Pakistan players have featured in IPL-owned tournaments during the league’s global expansion.

ECB chief executive Richard Gould had said last year that he expected “players from all nations to be selected for all teams” in The Hundred and emphasised that “clear anti-discrimination policies” were in place.

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The latest report added that although the ECB sold stakes in all eight teams last year, it has retained overall control of the competition. However, its direct influence has reduced following the arrival of new private investors.

While the ECB cannot compel franchises to sign specific players, any allegation of discrimination would require clear supporting evidence. The board does, however, retain the authority to refer franchises to the Cricket Regulator, which can initiate an investigation if warranted. The ECB can also impose its own sanctions if necessary.

The BBC report followed former England captain Michael Vaughan urging the ECB to take a firmer stance on the issue.

“The ECB need to act fast on this,” Vaughan wrote on X. “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.”

Last year, before the new investors assumed control, only two Pakistani players, Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim, featured in the tournament.

This year, 67 Pakistani players have registered for the auction, including high-profile names such as Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf.

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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