Just weeks before the highly anticipated player auction for The Hundred 2026, the tournament has been rocked by controversy. Multiple reports confirmed by BBC Sport reveal that the four franchises with Indian Premier League (IPL) ownership are unlikely to bid for any Pakistan internationals, continuing what agents describe as an "unwritten rule" across global T20 leagues with Indian investment .
The development threatens to undermine the England and Wales Cricket Board's (ECB) commitment to diversity just as the competition enters a new financial era following a £500m private investment influx.
Which Teams Are Affected?
The decision impacts half of the eight teams in the competition. Manchester Super Giants (co-owned by Lucknow Super Giants' RPSG Group), MI London (Mumbai Indians), Southern Brave (Delhi Capitals' GMR Group), and Sunrisers Leeds (Sunrisers Hyderabad) are all at least partially controlled by entities with deep roots in the IPL .
According to the BBC, a senior ECB official reportedly informed a player agent that interest in Pakistan players would be "limited to sides not linked to the IPL." One agent described the situation as an industry-wide reality, stating it is simply "a given" that Indian-owned franchises will not risk political backlash by signing players from across the border .
63 Pakistan Players in Limbo
The irony of the situation is stark. Despite the apparent blockade, a massive 63 Pakistan cricketers have registered for the March auction . The list includes almost all of Pakistan's T20 stars, such as Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan, Saim Ayub, and new white-ball captain Salman Ali Agha .
They join a pool of nearly 1,000 international players hoping to secure a contract in the competition, which runs from July 21 to August 16. However, with four teams effectively ruling themselves out, the remaining four franchises—London Spirit, Welsh Fire, Birmingham Phoenix, and Trent Rockets—represent the only potential destinations for Pakistani talent.
ECB Responds Amid Pressure
The ECB finds itself in a difficult position. While it sold stakes in the teams, it retains control of the competition and insists on anti-discrimination policies.
An ECB spokesperson reiterated the board's official stance: "The Hundred welcomes men's and women's players from all over the world and we would expect the eight teams to reflect that" .
However, former England captain Michael Vaughan has demanded urgent action. Reacting to the reports on social media, Vaughan wrote: "The ECB need to act fast on this. They own the league and this should not be allowed to happen. The most inclusive sport in the country is not one that allows this to happen" .
Last year, ECB Chief Executive Richard Gould attempted to soothe fears, stating he expected "players from all nations to be selected for all teams" and that anti-discrimination policies were in place to ensure fairness .
A Global Pattern: From SA20 to ILT20
This is not an isolated incident. The same IPL-linked franchises have consistently avoided Pakistan players in other leagues.
- SA20 (South Africa): Since its 2023 launch, no Pakistan player has featured. All six teams are IPL-owned .
- ILT20 (UAE): Over four seasons, franchises controlled by the owners of MI London and Southern Brave have signed zero Pakistan players, while American-owned Desert Vipers have recruited eight .
Tom Moffat, chief executive of the World Cricketers' Association, stressed the importance of fair play. "Every player should have the right to fair and equal opportunity," he said. "While employers have autonomy in recruitment, those decisions should always align with principles of fairness, equality and respect" .
What Happens Next?
The player auction is scheduled for March 11 and 12 in London .
While franchises like Birmingham Phoenix have publicly stated they pick players "based on what they bring on the field," the silence from the four IPL-linked teams is deafening . As one prominent agent told the BBC, "Our players do not seek favours, they seek a fair field. I hope I am proven wrong" .
With the tournament set to begin on July 21, the coming weeks will determine whether The Hundred lives up to its name as a competition for all, or whether geopolitical tensions drawn a line through the team sheets.
