Sunrisers Leeds' X Account Faces Suspension After Abrar Ahmed Signing Fallout
Synopsis
In a surprising turn of events, Sunrisers Leeds' X account was suspended shortly after signing Pakistani spinner Abrar Ahmed. The move has ignited backlash from fans, raising questions about the franchise's decisions and the implications for future tournaments.
Key Takeaways
Abrar Ahmed signed for £190,000 by Sunrisers Leeds.
The franchise's X account was suspended amidst fan backlash.
Abrar is the first Pakistani player to join an Indian-owned franchise in The Hundred.
Sun TV acquired a majority stake in The Hundred franchise.
The tournament will run from July 21 to August 16, 2026.
New Delhi, March 13 (NationPress) The 'X' account of Sunrisers Leeds has faced suspension just hours after the franchise secured the signing of Pakistani spinner Abrar Ahmed during the auction for The Hundred 2026, which took place on Thursday.
Abrar has made history as the first Pakistani cricketer to be signed by an Indian-owned team in this tournament. However, this move sparked significant backlash from fans, who took to X to express their displeasure towards the franchise and its ownership, labeling them as anti-national.
Following the signing of Abrar for £190,000 (approximately ₹2.3 crore), the official X account of Sunrisers Leeds was suspended. While no explicit reason was provided by the platform, users attempting to access the account encountered a notification stating, “Account suspended. X suspends accounts that violate the X rules.”
Sun TV has recently completed its acquisition of The Hundred franchise, previously known as the Northern Superchargers, by purchasing a 49% stake from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and acquiring the remaining 51% from Yorkshire for around £100 million.
Initial reports indicated that IPL franchise-owned teams would refrain from bidding on Pakistani players, and early auction proceedings seemed to align with that speculation until Abrar was signed.
Since 2009, no Pakistani player has participated in the Indian Premier League (IPL), and IPL franchise owners, who have invested in various T20 leagues globally, have typically avoided signing players from Pakistan.
Last month, the ECB announced that auction selections would be determined solely by ‘cricketing performance, availability, and team needs.’ Over the first five seasons of the competition, nine Pakistani players have participated, though no female cricketers from Pakistan were chosen in the women's auction held on Wednesday.
Abrar was the second Pakistani player to be sold during the auction on Thursday, following mystery spinner Usman Tariq, who was acquired by Birmingham Phoenix for £140,000. Other notable Pakistani players, including Saim Ayub, Haris Rauf, and Shadab Khan, went unsold.
Captain Harry Brook and coach Daniel Vettori lead Sunrisers Leeds, which also drafted South Africa’s Ryan Rickelton, England’s Zak Crawley, Matt Potts, and Dan Lawrence early in the auction process. The squad already features Brydon Carse, Mitchell Marsh, and Nathan Ellis.
The 2026 edition of The Hundred is scheduled to take place from July 21 to August 16, showcasing a total of 34 matches for both men’s and women’s teams.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Sunrisers Leeds' X account suspended?
The account was suspended shortly after the signing of Abrar Ahmed, amid backlash from fans criticizing the franchise's decision, although no specific reason was provided by the platform.
What is The Hundred?
The Hundred is a professional franchise cricket tournament in England that features both men's and women's teams competing in a unique format.
How much was Abrar Ahmed signed for?
Abrar Ahmed was signed for £190,000, which is approximately ₹2.3 crore.
What are the implications of this signing?
This signing could impact the dynamics of player selections in future tournaments and may influence the relationship between Indian franchises and Pakistani players.
