Indian-owned team signs Pakistan’s Abrar, sparks backlash in India

LONDON: Pakistan leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed was signed by Sunrisers Leeds for £190,000 ($254,201) in Thursday’s men’s auction for The Hundred, despite earlier media reports suggesting Indian-owned franchises might avoid recruiting Pakistani players.

In February, the BBC reported that Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave, and Sunrisers Leeds were unlikely to consider Pakistani cricketers for the UK-based tournament due to tensions between India and Pakistan.

After the report surfaced, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and all eight franchises clarified that players would not be excluded from selection on the basis of nationality.

Abrar, who made his Pakistan debut in 2024, has played 38 Twenty20 internationals, claiming 52 wickets with an economy rate of 6.67.