Rajeev Shukla Weighs In on Sunrisers Leeds' Signing of Pakistan's Abrar Ahmed
Key Takeaways
Rajeev Shukla's comments indicate no BCCI influence over foreign leagues.
The signing of Abrar Ahmed was met with significant fan backlash.
Sunrisers Leeds was acquired by Sun TV for a substantial amount.
No Pakistani players have participated in the IPL since 2009 .
The ECB emphasized performance-based selection criteria.
New Delhi, March 13 (NationPress) Rajeev Shukla, the vice-president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has made it clear that the Indian cricket authority has no influence over the franchise Sunrisers Leeds' decision to acquire Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed during the Hundred Auction. He noted that this decision concerns an overseas league and is not related to the Indian Premier League (IPL).
In his statements, Shukla reiterated that the choice is solely in the hands of the franchise involved, emphasizing that the signing is tied to a league outside of India. He remarked, “This is their own decision because this is not our league. This has not been done for the IPL; it has been done for a league outside India. It is entirely their own decision. There is some league in England for which they are doing this,” as he informed IANS.
The acquisition of Abrar by the Indian-owned Sunrisers Leeds sparked considerable backlash among fans, who expressed their discontent on X, labeling the team’s owner and franchise as anti-national.
As a result of the uproar, the team's X account faced a suspension for a short period but has since been reinstated.
Sun TV, which owns the franchises Sunrisers Hyderabad and Sunrisers Eastern Cape, had previously acquired the team formerly known as Northern Superchargers by purchasing a 49% stake from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the remaining 51% from Yorkshire for approximately 100 million pounds last year.
Earlier reports indicated that franchises linked with the IPL might refrain from bidding for Pakistani players, and initial moments of Thursday’s auction seemed to validate this notion until Abrar was selected.
No Pakistani players have participated in the IPL since 2009, and IPL franchise owners who have invested in T20 leagues around the globe have generally been hesitant to sign cricketers from Pakistan.
However, last month, the ECB clarified that selections during the auction would be based purely on ‘cricketing performance, availability, and the needs of each team.’
Abrar was the second Pakistani player to be sold at the auction on Thursday morning, following mystery spinner Usman Tariq, who was acquired by Birmingham Phoenix for 140,000 pounds. Several other Pakistani players, including Saim Ayub, Haris Rauf, and Shadab Khan, went unsold.
Point of View
I observe the complexities surrounding the signing of Abrar Ahmed by Sunrisers Leeds. While it raises questions among fans, it reflects the evolving landscape of global cricket. The decision underscores the autonomy of franchises in international leagues, separate from the IPL's influence.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Sunrisers Leeds sign Abrar Ahmed?
The signing of Abrar Ahmed by Sunrisers Leeds was a decision made independently by the franchise for participation in a league outside India, specifically The Hundred.
How has the BCCI responded to this signing?
Rajeev Shukla, vice-president of the BCCI, clarified that the board has no influence over the franchise's decision, as it is not related to the IPL.
What was the reaction from fans regarding this signing?
Fans expressed their discontent on social media, labeling the franchise's owner as anti-national, leading to a temporary suspension of the team's X account.
Are Pakistani players allowed in the IPL?
No Pakistani players have participated in the IPL since 2009, and IPL franchises have generally avoided signing players from Pakistan.
What criteria did the ECB outline for player selection in the auction?
The ECB stated that selections during the auction would be based solely on cricketing performance, availability, and the team's needs.
