Pakistan teammates through the mid-innings break towards India in T20 World Cup conflict in Colombo on February 15, 2026. PHOTO: REUTERS
LONDON:
Pakistani gamers is not going to be discriminated towards in choice for the Hundred, the England and Wales Cricket Board stated on Tuesday, regardless of reviews they may very well be missed attributable to political tensions with India.
The BBC reported final week that the 4 Indian-owned franchises of the eight-team competitors — Manchester Tremendous Giants, MI London, Southern Courageous and Sunrisers Leeds — weren’t contemplating Pakistani gamers for subsequent month’s public sale.
A complete of 67 Pakistan gamers – 63 males and 4 ladies – have submitted themselves for choice.
“The England and Wales Cricket Board and all eight of The Hundred staff franchises reaffirm their dedication to making sure The Hundred continues to be a contest that’s inclusive, welcoming and open to all,” the ECB stated in a press release.
“All eight groups decide to choice being based mostly solely on cricketing efficiency, availability, and the wants of every staff.”
Gamers from Pakistan haven’t featured within the profitable Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2009 due to diplomatic tensions between the 2 international locations.
With a number of IPL house owners now proudly owning groups in a number of completely different international locations, alternatives for Pakistani cricketers to take part in numerous different leagues are in peril of being decreased additional.
Gamers will go below the hammer in London on March 11 and 12.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan had been amongst these to name for motion from the ECB over the rumours.
“They personal the league and this shouldn’t be allowed to occur,” stated Vaughan, who referenced the ECB’s acknowledged goal of cricket turning into essentially the most inclusive sport in England.
“Essentially the most inclusive sport within the nation shouldn’t be one that enables this to occur.”
