IPL-Owned Teams to Boycott Pakistani Players in The Hundred Auction

Pakistani players are again set to be sidelined in a major overseas league, with IPL-linked ownership groups reportedly unwilling to bid for them at next month’s Hundred auction.

The latest development extends a long-running pattern where political tensions involving India continue to disrupt cricket.

Several of The Hundred’s franchises are now fully or partially owned by groups that also control IPL teams. The expectation being communicated to agents is that interest in Pakistan players will be limited to teams without IPL ownership links.

Pakistan has had representation in The Hundred in previous seasons, including Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim last year, with players such as Shaheen Afridi, Shadab Khan, and Haris Rauf also appearing in earlier editions.

Pakistan cricketers have not played in the IPL since 2009 due to diplomatic tensions. Critics argue the same political stance is now being applied through overseas franchise ownership, limiting opportunities for Pakistani players in competitions that market themselves as global and inclusive.

The same pattern has appeared in other leagues dominated by IPL ownership:

In South Africa’s SA20, no Pakistani players have featured since the tournament began, with all teams owned by IPL-linked groups.

In the UAE’s ILT20, Desert Vipers were the clear exception. While IPL-owned franchises reportedly avoided Pakistani signings, Desert Vipers selected Pakistani players and went on to win their maiden ILT20 title.

This has strengthened the view that Pakistani players face an unofficial exclusion wherever IPL ownership has operational control.

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