Sunrisers Leeds received a huge flak when they signed Pakistan’s leg spinner Abrar Ahmed for the Hundred 2026 edition. Abrar Ahmed was bought in a whopping amount of 2.34 Crores & 1,90,000 Pounds. The social media went berserk as Sunrisers Leeds is the sister franchise of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), which is owned by Kavya Maran, the CEO & owner of the franchise. Let’s discuss it
IPL owners & Pakistani players don’t go hand in hand
Since the terror attack in Mumbai by Pakistani terrorists in 2008, the IPL has not allowed any Pakistani players to feature in the tournament. The Government of India & IPL’s Governing Council took that decision, and there was only one season of IPL 2008 where Pakistani players like Shoaib Akhtar (KKR), Umar Gul (KKR), Shoaib Malik (DD at that time), Sohail Tanvir (RR), and a few more featured in that tourney.
ICC also can’t interfere in this issue for PCB, given IPL is a franchise cum domestic tournament organized by IPL. But there was a rare exception when Wasim Akram was a part of KKR’s coaching setup from 2010 to 2016. Well, it seems rule wasn’t applicable for the coaching staff members at that time. Azhar Mahmood also featured in IPL in editions IPL 2012-13 with Kings XI Punjab & KKR in 2015 but he had a British passport, which allowed that to happen.
Sunil Gavaskar is angry with the Sunrisers Leeds
There’s no doubt that IPL is one of the richest leagues in the world, as the entire world watches as the expansion has been remarkably incredible. Sunil Gavaskar was very fumed up and expressed his frustration in his column of Mid-Day Column.
“The furore created by the acquisition of a Pakistani player by the Indian owner of a franchise in The Hundred is hardly surprising. Ever since the Mumbai attacks in November 2008, Indian franchise owners have simply ignored Pakistani players for the IPL,” said Sunil Gavaskar
“Although belated, the realisation that the fees that they pay to a Pakistani player, who then pays income tax to his government which buys arms and weapons, indirectly contributes to the deaths of Indian soldiers and civilians is making Indian entities refrain from even considering having Pakistani artistes and sportspersons,” he stated.
“Whether it is an Indian entity or an overseas subsidiary of the entity that is making the payment, if the owner is Indian then he or she is contributing to the Indian casualties. It’s as simple as that. There’s still time to undo the wrong and hopefully wiser counsels will prevail,” he added.
Who’s wrong, Sunrisers Leeds, or BCCI
We all witnessed how the BCCI has taken a stand of not shaking hands with Pakistani players after the match and even during the coin toss due to the Pahalgham attack. Suryakumar Yadav can be clearly seen somewhat mocking the rivalry of India vs Pakistan matches which is absolutely true with India leading by 8-1.
Coming to the statements of the legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar, ECB had strictly told all franchises of the Hundred not to ignore Pakistani players. Well, Sunrisers Leeds agreed to it, which has got praise from Pakistani fans but a backlash from IPL & fans. Even BCCI Vice President Rajiv Shukla clearly said that BCCI has no say in overseas leagues, as that doesn’t come under their jurisdiction.
There’s a twist in the tale, let’s find it. SA20 has franchise owners of IPL (Sunrisers Eastern Cape is a franchise of Sunrisers as well in SA20) and even in that there’s not a single Pakistani player and same has happened in ILT20 league, where Gulf Giants (Owned by Adani Sportsline), ADKR, MI Emirates, Dubai Capitals all have not signed Pakistani players, and even in MLC where there are teams of Texas Super Kings, MI New York, LA Knight Riders.
It’s quite intricate that even when BCCI doesn’t stop IPL owners from signing Pakistani players in overseas leagues, they still do not consider it. Coming back to the issue of Abrar Ahmed & Sunrisers Leeds, head coach Daniel Vettori had a huge say on the inclusion of Abrar Ahmed.
BCCI vs PCB have not-so-great relations
Even after all the outside noise, India still plays matches against Pakistan in the Asia Cup & ICC events. India vs Pakistan isn’t only a match, it’s an industry for world fans to gather together. It would sound very harsh, but Pakistan will take pride in beating in ICC T20 WC 2021 for the next decade or even more after, and then would ignore the 8 defeats in ICC events till now.
PCB got approximately 66.75 Lakhs while they finished as runners-up in the Asia Cup 2025. If BCCI decides to fully boycott Pakistan’s matches, then PCB can collapse, which is a harsh reality. PCB had threatened to pull out from the Asia Cup 2025, but that didn’t happen even when they showed support to BCB in the ICC T20 WC 2026 by deciding to quit from the tournament, but they changed their minds overnight.
There are some very dangerous super powers which want India vs Pakistan matches to happen all the time. Even ICC, BCCI, Indian Govt & Pakistan Govt & PCB can’t take that decision firmly. Sunil Gavaskar spoke from his heart regarding Abrar Ahmed’s inclusion. We can say, but somewhat, BCCI & Indian Govt are also to be blamed, given the love of the game and sporting spirit, and some suspicious indirect connections, we can say, they can’t take a stand and stop playing against Pakistan and show more patriotism.
Will Abrar Ahmed play for Sunrisers Leeds
In July-August 2026, there is Pakistan’s tour of the West Indies, whose dates aren’t revealed as of now. The Hundred 2026 edition is in August 2026. Even if Abrar Ahmed is available for suppose 4-5 matches, it would be quite tough for Sunrisers Leeds to get him in the playing 11 straight away. Most importantly, PCB has to issue an NOC to Abrar Ahmed to play in the Hundred.
It can be said that Sunrisers Leeds & owner Kavya Maran have played a master stroke here by gaining some popularity in Pakistan and fans. SRH fans, though, are annoyed, but it is often said that outside noise can’t have a brutal impact in the inner circle.
Also Read:Â IPL 2026: Matthew Hayden Lavishes Praise On Rahul Tewatia