Pakistani leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed has been signed by Sunrisers Leeds for the 2026 edition of The Hundred. The franchise, linked to the Indian Premier League team Sunrisers Hyderabad, purchased Ahmed for £190,000 despite political tensions between India and Pakistan affecting cricketing ties.
The England and Wales Cricket Board emphasized that franchise selections are based solely on player performance. Ahmed, 27, is one of the few Pakistani men’s players to secure a spot, as others like Shaheen Shah Afridi withdrew, and Haris Rauf went unsold at his reserve price of £100,000.
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Another Pakistani spinner, Usman Tariq, was bought by Birmingham Phoenix for £140,000. Meanwhile, the women’s auction saw Fatima Sana and Sadia Iqbal remain unsold, highlighting ongoing challenges for Pakistani players in UK competitions.
The Hundred franchises, four of which are at least partly owned by IPL-linked companies, staged their first-ever auction for major British sport. High-profile buys included uncapped English all-rounder James Cole (£390,000) and batsman Jordan Cox alongside former England captain Joe Root (£540,000 combined).
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The 2026 edition of The Hundred, featuring both men’s and women’s competitions, will start on July 21 and run for four weeks. Ahmed’s signing underscores the growing cross-border opportunities for talent despite geopolitical tensions.