The recent player auction for The Hundred produced some of the biggest and most controversial news of the year. Pakistan mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed was roped in by Sunrisers Leeds, a team co-owned by the Sunrisers Hyderabad franchise and Kavya Maran.
The 27-year-old cricketer signed with the Leeds franchise for a massive £190,000 on Thursday during the highly anticipated player auction. It generated buzz among passionate cricket fans. Following the controversial signing, angry fans immediately took to social media and started brutally trolling Kavya Maran.
Kavya Maran’s SunRisers Under Scrutiny After Abrar Ahmed’s Signing in The Hundred
There were multiple reports prior to the auction suggesting that franchises owned by Indians in The Hundred would not buy Pakistan players. Former England captain Michael Vaughan and all-rounder Moeen Ali were among those who made statements regarding the issue.
Your daily dose of cricket!
They requested the ECB to completely ensure a fair and equal environment for players from all participating countries. Following these statements, both the cricket board and franchise owners released a joint clarifying statement.
Sunrisers Leeds management managed to acquire Abrar Ahmed during the intense bidding war at the auction. The upcoming tournament would be Abrar’s debut in the English league.
Abrar Ahmed Becomes First Pakistan Player Signed by an Indian-Owned Franchise in The Hundred
Another Pakistani bowler, Usman Tariq, was also signed in the auction by Birmingham Phoenix. He became the very first Pakistani cricketer to be signed this year. However, Abrar Ahmed’s controversial signing by an Indian-owned franchise received far more media attention across social platforms.
Sunrisers Leeds are owned by the massive Chennai-based media conglomerate Sun Group. Ahmed became the very first Pakistan player to be signed by an Indian-owned franchise in the English tournament. The team secured him after a tough bidding war against the Trent Rockets.
Notably, IPL franchises have avoided them since 2009 due to highly strained diplomatic relations between the two neighboring nations. The Sun Group took full control of the former Northern Superchargers last year for around GBP 100 million.
Who Is Abrar Ahmed?
Abrar Ahmed is a 27-year-old leg-spinner who has played 10 Tests, 15 ODIs, and 38 T20Is for Pakistan. He was an integral part of the Pakistan team during the recent 2026 T20 World Cup. He bowled an impressive spell of 3/23 in the crucial Super Eight stage game against Sri Lanka.
This upcoming season will be Ahmed’s very first time playing in a major T20 league in Europe. However, his participation remains strictly subject to official clearance from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Abrar has been a part of multiple global leagues such as the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Major League Cricket (MLC), and the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). He also recently represented Pakistan in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Ahmed picked up a modest six wickets during the recently concluded event.
Abrar Ahmed Deal Sparks Trouble As Sunrisers Leeds’ X Account Gets Suspended
The official Sunrisers Leeds’ X account was suspended on Thursday, just hours after the franchise signed the Pakistan spinner. The move didn’t go down well with many fans in India, who criticized the team for going against the national sentiment.
At the men’s player auction, CEO Kavya Maran was seen sitting at the bidding table alongside head coach Daniel Vettori. In the intense lead-up to the auction, there was significant media scrutiny over whether the four Indian-owned teams would actually bid for any active Pakistan players.
The Sunrisers Leeds’ official account on X was suspended. While the social media platform hasn’t provided any specific detailed reason, users attempting to access the account were met with a standard pop-up message stating that it violated the X rules.
List of Pakistani Players in Indian-Owned Franchises Across Global Cricket Leagues
Despite the ongoing political tensions, Pakistani cricketers have been signing with various Indian-owned franchises. From The Hundred in England to the Caribbean Premier League, Pakistan players are signed by Indian-owned franchises.
While the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League and the Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the SA20 have never signed an active Pakistan player, multiple Indian corporate giants are investing heavily in international cricketers outside the Indian borders.
Caribbean Premier League (CPL)
The Trinbago Knight Riders have had a Pakistani presence over the years. The team is owned by the Knight Riders Group from India. They have signed several prominent cricketers over the years, including Shadab Khan, Yasir Shah, fast bowler Mohammad Hasnain, veteran Mohammad Amir, and spinner Usman Tariq.
Another Indian-owned franchise in the Caribbean tournament is the Barbados Royals. Backed by the Royals Sports Group, the team recruited wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan. His inclusion provided the team with valuable power-hitting in the middle order.
International League T20 (ILT20)
The Abu Dhabi Knight Riders compete in the ILT20 tournament. This team is also part of the Indian-owned Knight Riders Group network. They added experienced all-rounder Imad Wasim and spinner Sufiyan Muqeem to their squad to strengthen their bowling attack in the Middle East.
Wicketkeeper Usman Khan has played for MI Emirates. The franchise has the financial backing of Reliance Industries from India. He played a crucial role for the team, showing the opportunities available for Pakistani players in Indian-owned franchises away from home.
Major League Cricket (MLC)
The Seattle Orcas participate in Major League Cricket. The American cricket franchise is co-owned by India’s GMR Group. To build a competitive squad, they secured the services of fast bowler Zaman Khan, wicketkeeper Azam Khan, and veteran all-rounder Imad Wasim.
Imad Wasim brought his extensive international experience to the Seattle Orcas setup. Even after retiring from international cricket, he remains an effective all-rounder. He can also mentor younger cricketers in the tournament.
The Hundred
Sunrisers Leeds, a new team backed by India’s Sun Group, signed Abrar Ahmed. The franchise purchased him for £190,000 to improve their bowling attack for the upcoming season of the English domestic tournament.
Indian franchise owners are willing to invest money in Pakistani players to win global leagues. This ongoing professional relationship gives players a reliable chance to compete at the highest level while playing away from their home country.
Conclusion:
Franchise cricket now operates on a global scale, where business decisions often matter more than geopolitical borders. Owners like Kavya Maran and the Sun Group focus on building strong teams rather than making political statements.
The recent signing of Abrar Ahmed highlights this practical approach to team management. While some fans reacted emotionally and questioned the loyalty of Indian owners, the reality of overseas leagues is very different from the IPL.
As Indian franchises continue to expand across global leagues, such cross-border player signings will likely remain a normal business practice, keeping sporting decisions separate from national sentiment.
| Pakistani Players Signed by Indian-Owned Franchises in T20 Leagues | ||
|
Franchise |
League | Pakistani Players |
| Trinbago Knight Riders | CPL | Shadab Khan, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Amir, Usman Tariq |
| Barbados Royals | CPL | Azam Khan |
| Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | ILT20 | Imad Wasim, Sufiyan Muqeem |
| Seattle Orcas | MLC | Zaman Khan, Azam Khan, Imad Wasim |
| Sunrisers Leeds | The Hundred | Abrar Ahmed |
Also read: Shubman Gill BLOCKED from captaincy after India’s T20 World Cup 2026 victory
