Is There a Shadow Ban on Pakistan Players in The Hundred? ECB Responds

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has moved to clarify its position following reports suggesting that franchises with Indian Premier League (IPL) ownership links may avoid signing Pakistani players at next month's Hundred auctions.

More than 950 players have registered for the men's and women's drafts, including over 50 from Pakistan. High-profile names such as Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf, Saim Ayub, and Usman Tariq feature on the longlist. However, speculation has emerged that IPL-owned teams involved in The Hundred could refrain from bidding on Pakistani players, echoing the long-standing absence of Pakistan internationals from the IPL itself.

Background to the concerns

No active Pakistan international has played in the IPL since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, and geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan have often influenced cricketing ties. In recent years, IPL ownership groups have expanded into other franchise leagues around the world, prompting questions about whether similar policies could extend to competitions like The Hundred.

Four IPL franchises now have ownership stakes in Hundred teams:

Mumbai Indians (MI London)
Lucknow Super Giants (Manchester Super Giants)
Sunrisers Hyderabad (Sunrisers Leeds)
Delhi Capitals (Southern Brave)

A recent BBC report suggested that IPL-owned Hundred teams may not bid for Pakistani players in the upcoming auctions, citing alleged internal communication from a senior ECB official. The ECB has said it has not seen the messages in question and has pushed back against the claims.

An ECB spokesperson reiterated that the competition remains open to global participation.
"The Hundred welcomes men's and women's players from all over the world, and we would expect the eight teams to reflect that," the spokesperson said, noting that nearly 1,000 cricketers from 18 nations have registered for the auction.

Pakistani presence and past trends

Despite the absence of Pakistan players from the IPL, their involvement in The Hundred has never been formally restricted. However, participation has been limited in practice. Only nine Pakistani players have featured across the first five seasons, with availability often impacted by international scheduling conflicts and occasional late withdrawals.

Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are not part of this year's longlist, though their availability would have been constrained by Pakistan's Test commitments againstthe West Indies in August. Pakistan's white-ball schedule does not clash directly with The Hundred window (July 21 to August 16).

The issue has drawn commentary from former England captain Michael Vaughan, who urged the ECB to address concerns quickly and ensure inclusivity within the league.

Opportunities for non-IPL franchises

While some franchises are linked to IPL ownership, others are not. Teams without Indian investors could potentially see the situation as an opportunity to secure high-quality Pakistani talent at competitive prices.

Birmingham Phoenix performance director James Thomas indicated that the franchise would approach the auction without regard to nationality.

"You've got to pick players for what they can bring in terms of performance," Thomas said, adding that representing Birmingham's diverse community is also a priority.

Examples from other leagues suggest that collaboration remains possible. The GMR Group, co-owners of Delhi Capitals and Southern Brave, have previously signed Pakistani players for franchises such as Seattle Orcas and Hampshire.

Auction structure and new financial landscape

The Hundred's 2026 edition features significant structural changes. Salary caps have increased to £2.05 million for men's teams and £880,000 for women's teams. Franchises can now field four overseas players per match, up from three in previous seasons.

The auctions, scheduled for March 11 (women's) and March 12 (men's) in London, will begin with a marquee set of "hero" players nominated by the franchises. Each team has already secured up to four pre-auction signings following new investment and a broader squad reset.

Among the overseas players registered are Trent Boult, Aiden Markram, and Sunil Narine in the men's competition, and Sophie Devine, Beth Mooney, and Deepti Sharma in the women's draft. Several England internationals, including Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, and Tammy Beaumont, are also available.

The broader picture

The debate highlights the complex intersection of sport, geopolitics, and franchise ownership in modern cricket. While no formal restriction exists, the coming auction will reveal whether market dynamics or external considerations influence team strategies.

For now, the ECB maintains that The Hundred remains open and inclusive, and that selections will ultimately rest with the eight franchises when the bidding begins next month.