Mumbai, Feb 22 (NationPress) The cricket authorities from Pakistan are gearing up to officially express their concerns to their English counterparts following reports suggesting that Indian-owned franchises may overlook their players in this year's edition of The Hundred, according to a report released on Sunday.

Officials from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are anticipated to communicate with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), imploring them to ensure fair treatment for Pakistani players during the player auction set for March 11 and 12, as reported by Telecom Asia Sport.

As per reports from England, agents representing Pakistani cricketers have been informed that franchises like Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave, and Sunrisers Leeds, which are co-owned by IPL team owners, are not considering them.

Sources have indicated to www.telecomasia.net that officials from Pakistan perceive this blanket exclusion as a violation of the inclusive principles that the ECB advocates.

“The Pakistan Cricket Board, through Salman Naseer, is expected to reach out to the ECB to ensure that Pakistani players receive fair treatment,” sources informed Telecom Asia Sport.

“Any form of bias would contradict the ECB’s stated commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunities for Asian players.”

Additionally, officials have emphasized the historically strong cricketing ties between England and Pakistan, recalling past concerns regarding the participation of Pakistani players in the competition.

Last season, both Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir played for the Northern Superchargers, which sources cite as evidence of successful participation.

Reports indicate that this year, numerous Pakistani players from both men's and women's categories have registered for the auction, showcasing the strong interest from the country’s talent pool.

This issue has also sparked reactions within the cricketing community in England.

Harry Brook, the white-ball captain, criticized the notion of excluding Pakistani players, stating, “Pakistan has been a formidable cricket nation for many years, boasting exceptional players… It would be disappointing not to see some of them in The Hundred,” he remarked on the sidelines of the T20 World Cup 2026.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has also urged the ECB to scrutinize the situation closely.

The report suggests that for Pakistan, the matter transcends mere auction dynamics; it concerns the integrity of a global competition rooted in diversity and merit.

As the auction date approaches, attention shifts to whether the ECB will intervene and if The Hundred can successfully align franchise autonomy with the inclusive principles it publicly champions, the report asserted.

However, it remains challenging for the ECB to prove that team composition and auction dynamics were not the reasons behind the deliberate exclusion of Pakistani players.