There has been a huge backlash after Indian-owned franchise SunRisers Leeds picked Pakistan’s Abrar Ahmed at The Hundred auction last week in London. The franchise, which also owns IPL side Sunrisers Hyderabad and Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the SA20, bought Abrar for 190,000 GBP (approx. Rs 2.34 crore)
However, Abrar may not turn up for any of the gamess for SunRisers at The Hundred because of international commitments. Pakistan would be touring the West Indies during The Hundred window and it has been learnt that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) may not grant him a No Objection Certificate (NOC). Pakistan would be on a tour to the West Indies from July 15 to August 7 for a two-Test series, and The Hundred begins on July 21 until August 16.
“He might not play The Hundred, given the fact that Pakistan is playing a two-match Test series against West Indies,” a TOI report said.
“It is a lot of money. His agent has put his name in the auction, which means he is confident of getting the NOC. He is also among the few current Pakistani cricketers who have a good relationship with the PCB chief. The chances of him playing in The Hundred are 50-50.”
Explaining Abrar’s signing, SunRisers Leeds head coach Daniel Vettori said the franchise roped in Abrar due to a lack of quality spin options. He added that when the side missed out on England’s Adil Rashid, Abrar became a viable choice who is currently the third-ranked T20I bowler.
“After we missed out on Adil Rashid, the priority was to get a spin bowler, and we didn’t think that quality was in the local market, so we had to jump overseas. Rishad Hussain, Usman Tariq and Abrar Ahmed – they were all guys that were on our radar,” Vettori said.
The franchise, previously known as Northern Superchargers, now comes under Sun TV’s ownership following its takeover in The Hundred. The broadcaster acquired a 49 per cent stake from the England and Wales Cricket Board and purchased the remaining 51 per cent from Yorkshire County Cricket Club, completing the deal for around £100 million.
