Pallekele, Sri Lanka – Sahibzada Farhan, the leading run-scorer at the ongoing T20 World Cup, faces potential complications in securing a contract in The Hundred, despite strong performances and significant interest. The uncertainty stems from the ownership structures of four of the tournament’s teams, which are linked to Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises, and a history of reluctance to include Pakistani players.
Farhan, who has listed a base price of £50,000 (US$67,500) for the Hundred auction on March 12th, has seen his T20 profile soar in recent months. Stellar showings at the 2023 T20 Asia Cup and his current form at the World Cup, where he currently leads all batsmen in runs scored, have made him a highly sought-after commodity.
However, the involvement of Mumbai Indians (MI London), Lucknow Super Giants (Manchester Super Giants), Sunrisers Hyderabad (Sunrisers Leeds), and Delhi Capitals (Southern Brave) as owners of Hundred franchises raises concerns. The IPL has not featured a Pakistani player since its inaugural season in 2008, a consequence of deteriorating India-Pakistan relations following the Mumbai terror attacks. This pattern has extended to other leagues with IPL ownership, with Pakistani players largely overlooked.
The ILT20 in the United Arab Emirates offered a recent example. Only the American-owned Desert Vipers, free from Indian ownership ties, signed Pakistani players at the auction, ultimately going on to win the tournament. This precedent underscores the potential for bias in The Hundred’s selection process.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has taken notice of the growing concerns. Vikram Banerjee, The Hundred’s managing director, issued a letter to the eight franchises this weekend, reminding them that selection decisions must be based on merit and warning of disciplinary action for any evidence of discrimination.
Farhan acknowledged the situation is largely beyond his control. “It’s not in our hands who picks us and who doesn’t,” he said at a press conference ahead of Pakistan’s Super Eight clash against England. “Wherever we get an opportunity and whoever is interested can pick us. We’re ready to play that league, and where people aren’t interested is [not something we focus on].”
Historically, Pakistani player participation in The Hundred has been limited. Only nine Pakistani players have featured in the tournament’s first five seasons, often hampered by scheduling conflicts with international commitments and, in some cases, late withdrawals. Notable examples include Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah, who were unable to participate in the 2024 edition.
This year, a further complication arises from a scheduling clash with Pakistan’s two-match Test tour of the West Indies, expected to begin in late July. This overlap could deter franchises from investing in Pakistani players, even if they are willing to consider them.
Despite the obstacles, Farhan remains optimistic. “I am hopeful of being picked up. Everyone wants to play the best leagues. The Hundred is one of the best leagues. Let’s hope for the best.”
The situation has sparked wider discussion within the cricket community. Moeen Ali, the England all-rounder, recently called for greater transparency and a willingness to address the issue openly. “It’s time for a solution, because it’s not fair,” Ali told the Telegraph. “It’s obviously discriminating against certain types of people. It’s horrible.”
Ali expressed concern that players might be hesitant to speak out for fear of jeopardizing their careers. “It’s such a difficult one, because all these teams are everywhere in every league,” he said. “So now if players speak out, or if they say anything, then it affects their career. It’s a difficult position for players to be in.” He added that, as a more established player, he felt less constrained in voicing his concerns.
The BBC reported last week that IPL-owned Hundred teams would not bid for Pakistani players, citing a “senior official” at the ECB. The ECB has disputed this report, stating it has not seen the alleged messages, but the underlying concerns remain. The situation highlights the complex interplay between sporting merit, geopolitical tensions, and franchise ownership in the increasingly globalized world of professional cricket.
1815 GMT – This story was updated with details of the ECB’s letter to franchises and Moeen Ali’s comments.
