Amid the ongoing controversy between India and Pakistan over the Hundred franchise tournament, a final list of Pakistani cricketers has been released. According to reports, out of 63 players, only 14 players from Pakistan are able to make their place in the auction list.
The Men in Green cricketers like Shaheen Afridi, Usman Tariq, Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan, and Saim Ayub are in the list of final players from the nation. However, Sahibzada Farhan, who scored 383 runs in the ongoing T20 World Cup, is not part of the list. Rauf headlines as he is reportedly among the marquee players in the auction list of England’s franchise tournament.
Hundred franchise owners are not interested in Pakistani cricketers
In the auction for the Women’s tournament of the league, Sadia Iqbal and Fatima Sana can also make a final cut. The auction for the women’s Hundred is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, March 11, and the men’s auction will be held on the following day.
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🚨 14 out of 63 Pakistan players shortlisted for The Hundred auction.
– Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Tariq, Shadab Khan, Saim Ayub, Abrar Ahmed, Naseem Shah, Amir, Muhammad Nawaz, Imad Wasim, Zaman Khan, Usama Mir, Akif Javed & Salman Mirza. pic.twitter.com/kZeyhR5D1L
— Sheri. (@CallMeSheri1_) March 2, 2026
Ahead of the auction, it was widely reported that the Hundred franchises, which have linked with the IPL franchises, were not interested in signing any players from the particularcountry. This report spread on social media rapidly and instantly caused a controversy. MI London, Manchester Super Giants, Sunrisers Leeds, and Southern Brave have links with Indian Premier League (IPL) team owners.
Moeen Ali and Michael Vaughan raised their voices against the potential development
A BBC report described the situation as a potential ‘shadow ban’ on the Pakistani cricketers. Former England cricketers like Moeen Ali and Michael Vaughan raised their voices and urged the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to look into the matter.
According to a BBC report, the ECB first wrote to the eight hundred franchises to remind them of their responsibilities on matters of discrimination. Later, a joint statement from the board and all eight franchises was issued with the confirmation that no players will be barred from the tournament based on their respective nationalities.
ECB and the Hundred franchises issued a joint statement for the upcoming auction
“All eight teams commit to selection being based solely on cricketing performance, availability, and the needs of each team. The ECB is committed to ensuring there is no place for discrimination, and has regulations in place to take robust action to tackle any such conduct. Players must not be excluded on the grounds of their nationality”, the joint statement reads.
It is now confirmed that there will be Pakistani cricketers in the men’s and Women’s auction of the Hundred league. But will any of these cricketers find any buyers? It will be interesting to see.
List of Pakistani cricketers who will be up for auction in The Hundred tournament:
Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Tariq, Shadab Khan, Saim Ayub, Abrar Ahmed, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Nawaz, Imad Wasim, Zaman Khan, Usama Mir, Akif Javed & Salman Mirza.
