Birmingham Phoenix

Sunrisers Leeds is an Indian-owned franchise participating in The Hundred, a professional cricket competition in England. They are currently newsworthy due to the controversial signing of Pakistani leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed in the recent Hundred auction. This signing has generated significant backlash, particularly on social media, with many questioning the patriotism of the Indian owners, given the strained political relations between India and Pakistan. The signing of Abrar Ahmed is notable because players from Pakistan have generally not been featured in Indian-owned teams, and the event has even drawn criticism from Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar, who alleged the signing indirectly contributes to the deaths of Indian soldiers and civilians. The controversy highlights the intersection of sports, politics, and national identity in the context of the India-Pakistan relationship.