ISLAMABAD: English cricketers have come out in support of Pakistan players after reports claimed that Indian-owned franchises in The Hundred may overlook them during the upcoming player auction.
According to BBC Sport, four teams with ownership links to the Indian Premier League are not considering Pakistan players for the draft scheduled for March 11 and 12.
The development has sparked concern across the English cricket community, with senior players warning that any exclusion based on nationality would damage the league’s credibility.
Former England all-rounder Moeen Ali said it would be a “massive shame” if Pakistan players were ignored.
“In the UK, I’m not sure that can happen — and I hope it doesn’t happen,” he told Telegraph Sport on Monday, adding that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) would be expected to keep a close watch.
Former England batter Mark Butcher also criticized the reported move, saying the issue goes beyond legal considerations.
Speaking on the Wisden Cricket Podcast, he said: “This isn’t just a legal thing, it is an optics thing,” warning that any perceived exclusion of Pakistan players would damage the league’s image and credibility.
Previously, England’s limited-overs captain Harry Brook had also expressed disappointment at the prospect.
“Pakistan have been a great cricket nation for many years and have some awesome players, some of the best players in the world,” Brook said. “It would be a shame not to see some of them in The Hundred.”
Former England captain Michael Vaughan urged the ECB to intervene, saying the board owns the competition and should ensure that all players are treated fairly.
The ECB has written to franchises to reiterate that The Hundred is open to players from around the world and that recruitment decisions must align with the league’s inclusive principles.
A total of 67 Pakistan cricketers have registered for the auction, including leading names such as Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf.
The issue has raised broader questions about the influence of franchise ownership structures and the balance between global cricket politics and domestic league governance, as pressure mounts on The Hundred’s organizers to ensure a transparent and merit-based auction process.
