Pakistan’s Abrar signed by India-owned Sunrisers in Hundred auction

Al JazeeraEN 2 min read 100% complete by By ReutersMarch 12, 2026 at 04:07 PM

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Pakistani leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed was signed by Sunrisers Leeds, an Indian-owned team, for 190,000 pounds at the Hundred auction in London on March 12, 2026. This occurred despite earlier reports suggesting Indian-owned teams might avoid signing Pakistani players due to tensions between India and Pakistan. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and all franchises emphasized that nationality should not influence player selection. Trent Rockets, a non-Indian-owned team, also bid for Abrar. Usman Tariq, another Pakistani player, was acquired by Birmingham Phoenix, while Shaheen Shah Afridi withdrew from the sale, and Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf went unsold. James Coles was the highest-priced player, bought by London Spirit for 390,000 pounds.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Shadab Khan 30% Haris Rauf 30% England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) 40% Usman Tariq 40% Birmingham Phoenix 40% Shaheen Shah Afridi 40% Trent Rockets ×250% Indian Premier League (IPL) 60% Pakistan ×570% India ×270% Sunrisers Leeds ×380% Abrar Ahmed ×590%

Keywords

hundred auction 100% pakistani players 90% abrar ahmed 80% sunrisers leeds 70% cricket 60% player selection 50% india-pakistan relations 50% twenty20 40%