Sunrisers Leeds, Indian-owned franchise, sign Pakistan's Abrar Ahmed at The Hundred auction, face online backlash

Kavya Maran was seated at the auction table with head coach Daniel Vettori when Sunrisers Leeds made their move for Abrar Ahmed during The Hundred Auction 2026.

Updated on: Mar 12, 2026, 21:57:54 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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Sunrisers Leeds secured the services of Abrar Ahmed at The Hundred Auction 2026. The signing has drawn attentionamid ongoing political strain between India and Pakistan, especially given the franchise's India-based ownership group, which also owns Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL. Before the auction, there had been widespread reports suggesting that teams owned by Indian Premier League franchise groups were unlikely to bid for players from Pakistan; however, Sunrisers made the bold move by acquiring Abrar for 190,000 pounds (approximately ₹2.3 crore).

Abrar Ahmed signed by Sunrisers Leeds in The Hundred. (AFP)

Ownership links between The Hundred and the Indian Premier League have grown stronger in recent years. Four franchises in the tournament - Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave and Sunrisers Leeds - now have partial ownership ties with companies that operate IPL teams.

Kavya Maran was seated at the auction table with head coach Daniel Vettori when Sunrisers Leeds made their move for Ahmed during The Hundred Auction 2026. Leeds eventually secured the mystery spinner after surpassing a bid from Trent Rockets. The signing drew attention, given that players from Pakistan have not appeared in the IPL since 2008, largely due to the long-standing political tensions between India and Pakistan.

The Sunrisers group, which also runs a side in the SA20, had previously never recruited a Pakistani cricketer, making the decision a talking point online.

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Earlier in the auction, Usman Tariq became the first player from Pakistan to be picked, joining Birmingham Phoenix for £140,000 after interest from multiple teams.

Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan unsold

Meanwhile, Shaheen Shah Afridi opted out of the men’s draft, while fellow pacer Haris Rauf went unsold after entering the auction with a reserve price of £100,000 during the event held in London on Thursday. All-rounder Shadab Khan and young batter Saim Ayub were also part of the draft pool, but neither player managed to attract a bid.

Fatima Sana and Sadia Iqbal were the only players from Pakistan in the women’s draft but neither found a buyer. The 2026 season of The Hundred, which includes both men’s and women’s tournaments, is scheduled to begin on July 21 and will run for four weeks.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

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