ISLAMABAD: Pakistan leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed has been signed by an Indian-owned franchise during the player auction for England’s The Hundred tournament, a move that has triggered criticism and debate among cricket fans across India.

Sunrisers Leeds, a team owned by Sun Group, which also owns Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League (IPL), secured the Pakistani spinner for $255,00 (£190,000) during the auction held in London.

The team’s head coach, Daniel Vettori explained that the decision saying, “We just planned for everyone who was at the auction, there wasn’t a discussion about no Pakistan players.” He added, “It was simply about who was the best option available.”

The signing makes Abrar Ahmed the first Pakistani cricketer to be picked by a franchise owned by Indian investors in The Hundred tournament, despite long-standing tensions between the two rivals, with no Pakistani players participating in the IPL since 2009.

The development has drawn sharp reactions from Indian fans on social media, with most criticizing the decision and the franchise owners.

Abrar Ahmed has represented Pakistan in Twenty20 internationals since making his debut in 2024 and has taken more than 50 wickets in the format.

His selection also appears to counter earlier reports suggesting that teams in The Hundred with links to the IPL might avoid signing Pakistani players due to political sensitivities.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had earlier reminded franchises that players must not be excluded from the competition on the basis of nationality.

The bidding during the auction was conducted by Sunrisers chief executive Kavya Maran, who represented the franchise during the player selection process, according to Indian media reports.

Meanwhile, mystery spinner Usman Tariq, was also picked during the auction after Birmingham Phoenix signed him for £140,000, although that franchise has no ownership links to the IPL, according to international media reports.

The Hundred tournament, which features a unique 100-ball format, is scheduled to run from July 21 to August 16 this year.

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Pakistan’s Abrar Ahmed signed by Indian-owned team in The Hundred, sparks backlash in India