The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has made things very clear after the speculations emerged that Pakistan players may be ignored in the next season of The Hundred. The ECB has reportedly sent a strong message to all eight teams, including those owned by Indian owners.
No discrimination against Pakistan players in The Hundred!!
It is being said that more than 60 Pakistani cricketers have put their names in for the upcoming player auction for the next edition of the 100-ball tournament. But there were fears that the four teams linked to Indian investors might not pick them.
This created huge noise and left many worried. This prompted the ECB to take immediate action. As reported by BBC, the ECB has reminded every franchise about its rules. The board has clearly told all eight teams that they must follow anti-discrimination policies. They want players from every country to get a fair chance.
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Last year, the England and Wales Cricket Board CEO Richard Gould stated that he expected “players from all nations to be selected for all teams” in The Hundred while mentioning the “clear anti-discrimination policies” that they have made mandatory for the competition.
IPL influence hits English cricket!
The issue became bigger because of past history involving India and Pakistan. Since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, Pakistani players have been banned in the IPL and other Indian-owned leagues. Only a few have featured in tournaments where IPL team owners have also brought their teams.
Many feared the same thing could repeat in England. Despite selling stakes in all eight teams last year, ECB still controls the tournament. The board cannot force any team to sign a particular player in The Hundred.
But if there is proof of discrimination, things can turn serious. The ECB has the power to send the matter to the Cricket Regulator for investigation. It can also take action on its own if needed.
Michael Vaughan demands fair chances for Pakistan players
The pressure increased after former England captain Michael Vaughan publicly demanded strong action and called for open and fair opportunity for everyone.
Vaughan had posted, X: “The ECB needs 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.”
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 .. https://t.co/IYysTSIYHt
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 20, 2026
Last season, only two Pakistani players, including Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim, played in The Hundred. This year, the list is much bigger, as big names like Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf are expected to be picked at the upcoming player auction.
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IPL owners’ big stakes in The Hundred
Meanwhile, four out of the eight teams in the Hundred are now owned or co-owned by big names from the IPL. Northern Superchargers are now fully owned by Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) Sun Group and will be called Sunrisers Leeds from the upcoming season.
Manchester Originals got a 70% stake from Lucknow Super Giants’ RPSG Group and will play as Manchester Super Giants. On the other hand, the Mumbai Indians have 49% of the stakes in the Oval Invincibles through Reliance Industries and will now be called MI London.
Southern Brave keeps its original name but has a 49% ownership from Delhi Capitals’s GMR Group.
