Pakistani Cricketers May Miss Out on The Hundred Due to IPL Links

Feb 20, 2026

63 min

Feb 20, 2026 04:30

Will Pakistan players miss out on India-owned teams in The Hundred this season?

## Pakistani Players Face Uncertainty

Pakistani cricketers might not participate in the upcoming season of The Hundred, a cricket tournament organized by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). This is due to reluctance from franchises with ties to the Indian Premier League (IPL) to sign players from Pakistan.

## IPL Influence

The Hundred, scheduled from July 21 to August 16, is experiencing a surge in investment, leading to increased salaries. However, four of its eight teams have connections to IPL franchises, which have not included Pakistani players since 2009 due to ongoing diplomatic tensions.

## "Unwritten Rule"

An agent described the situation as an "unwritten rule" affecting T20 leagues with Indian investments. Despite ECB's anti-discrimination policies, which aim for inclusivity, the influence of IPL-linked teams remains significant.

## Previous Participation

Pakistani players like Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, and Shaheen Shah Afridi have played in The Hundred before. However, no Pakistani women cricketers have participated yet. The trend of excluding Pakistani players extends to other leagues, such as South Africa's SA20, which also has IPL connections.

## Calls for Fairness

Tom Moffat, from the World Cricketers’ Association, emphasized the need for fair and equal opportunities for all players, urging the sport to reflect on these recruitment practices.

Read the full story at the source

What you need to know to get Emirates ID?

Leave your details and get a guide as a gift to avoid mistakes

Article contents