Sunil Gavaskar remains firm on his stand and said that Indian-owned franchises should “stop paying Pakistanis” in franchise cricket around the world.
The batting legend had earlier blasted Indian-owned Sunrisers Leeds for signing Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed for The Hundred 2026, saying that the income tax that a Pakistan player would pay to his government would lead to buying of “arms and weapons” to be used against India.
“Whether it is an Indian entity or an overseas subsidiary of the entity that is making the payment, if the owner is Indian, then he or she is contributing to the Indian casualties. It’s as simple as that,” Gavaskar wrote in his column for Mid-Day.
In a recent chat with Mumbai Mirror, he was asked whether his commentary work in ICC and ACC tournaments, where Pakistan also plays and earns its share of revenue, has a similar impact when it comes to India.
“Yes, I have been on commentary panels of ICC and ACC. The revenue went to all the participating countries from the ICC and ACC, but not from an Indian entity as far as I know. I don’t understand how you can say that I am a contributor since I am not making any payment to any commentator, Indian or any other nationality.”
Gavaskar reiterated his stand regarding Pakistan cricketers playing for Indian-owned franchises around the world: “I don’t follow the CPL, ILT20 or SA20, so I am not aware who is playing for whom,” he said. “If there are Indian owners paying Pakistani players, then hopefully they will stop doing that.”
“I don’t know about other sports and what they are doing,” he added. “All I am praying for is that Indians stop paying Pakistanis. If you have noticed, the reverse has never happened for decades, if ever.”
Pakistan allrounder Imad Wasim has earlier played for the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, a team owned by Kolkata Knight Riders, in the ILT20. He, along with fast bowler Zaman Khan, has also represented Seattle Orcas in Major League Cricket, a franchise co-owned by the GMR Group, which is linked to Delhi Capitals. Meanwhile, Mohammad Amir and Usman Tariq have previously played for Trinbago Knight Riders in the Caribbean Premier League.
On the other hand, Gavaskar had appeared as a guest on a Pakistan-based show during the 2025 Champions Trophy. He was part of a panel that included Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis. However, Gavaskar clarified that he neither requested the appearance nor received any payment for the show in Dubai.
