The Pakistan cricket Board (PCB) officials are planning to formally approach the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) after reports claimed that Pakistani players could be overlooked by Indian Premier League-owned franchises in this year’s edition of The Hundred.
According to a report by Telecom Asia Sport, PCB plans to write to the ECB ahead of the player auction on March 11 and 12, asking them to ensure that Pakistan players are treated fairly. This year’s The Hundred is scheduled to begin from July 21 to August 16
Media reports suggest that agents of Pakistani players were told that four franchises, Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave and Sunrisers Leeds are not considering them. These teams are linked to owners of Indian Premier League franchises. PCB officials reportedly believe that any blanket exclusion would go against the ECB’s stated commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity.
Sources quoted in the report said PCB officials, including Salman Naseer, are expected to raise the matter formally. They feel that sidelining Pakistan players would contradict the ECB’s public stance on diversity in cricket.
Officials have also pointed to the long-standing cricket ties between England and Pakistan. They noted that Pakistani players have successfully featured in The Hundred before. Last season, Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir played for Northern Superchargers.
Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Usman Tariq are some of the big names among 63 Pakistan players who have reportedly registered for The Hundred auction.
Earlier, England white-ball captain Harry Brook said it would be disappointing not to see Pakistan players in The Hundred, praising Pakistan as a strong cricket nation with talented players. Former England captain Michael Vaughan has also urged the ECB to look into the situation closely.
