Sunrisers Leeds Makes History by Signing Pakistan Spinner Abrar Ahmed in The Hundred Auction
Synopsis
In a groundbreaking move, Sunrisers Leeds has signed Pakistan leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed for £190,000 in the inaugural men's Hundred auction, becoming the first Indian-owned franchise to do so. This significant acquisition marks a new chapter in the tournament's history.
Key Takeaways
Abrar Ahmed signed for £190,000 First Pakistani player in an Indian-owned franchise Significant shift in T20 league dynamics Competition runs from July 21 to August 16, 2026 More Pakistani players may gain opportunities
London, March 12 (NationPress) The Sunrisers Leeds franchise has successfully acquired Pakistan's leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed for a whopping £190,000 (approximately Rs 2.3 crore) during the inaugural men's Hundred auction on Thursday. This remarkable signing marks him as the first Pakistani international player to be signed by an Indian-owned team within this prestigious tournament.
Abrar entered the auction with a base price of £75,000, but Sunrisers Leeds, owned by the Indian media conglomerate Sun TV, triumphed over Trent Rockets in a competitive bidding war just before the lunch break.
Sun TV had previously taken control of the team, which was formerly known as Northern Superchargers, by purchasing a significant 49 percent stake from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) alongside acquiring the remaining 51 percent from Yorkshire for around £100 million.
This media giant also manages other teams, including Sunrisers Hyderabad (IPL) and Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SA20). Initial reports indicated that IPL franchises might steer clear of bidding on Pakistani players, a trend that seemed to hold until Abrar's selection.
No Pakistani player has participated in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2009, and IPL team owners, who have invested in T20 leagues around the globe, typically refrain from signing players from Pakistan.
The ECB stated last month that player selections during the auction would be founded on 'cricketing performance, availability, and team requirements.' Nine players from Pakistan featured in the first five seasons of the competition, but none of the female cricketers from Pakistan were selected in the women's auction held on Wednesday.
Abrar was the second Pakistani player to be auctioned off on Thursday morning, following Usman Tariq, who was acquired by Birmingham Phoenix for £140,000. Other players from Pakistan, including Saim Ayub, Haris Rauf, and Shadab Khan, went unsold.
Led by captain Harry Brook and coached by Daniel Vettori, Sunrisers Leeds also secured South Africa's Ryan Rickelton, as well as England's Zak Crawley, Matt Potts, and Dan Lawrence in the early auction rounds. The roster already includes talents like Brydon Carse, Mitchell Marsh, and Nathan Ellis. The 2026 edition of the Hundred is scheduled to take place from July 21 to August 16, featuring a total of 34 matches for both men and women.
Point of View
The signing of Abrar Ahmed by Sunrisers Leeds signals a potential shift in the dynamics of T20 leagues. It opens doors for further collaboration between Indian franchises and Pakistani players, who have been largely absent from IPL since 2009. This could reshape the landscape of cricket and enhance competitive spirit in upcoming tournaments.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is this signing significant?
This signing is significant as Abrar is the first Pakistani international player to be signed by an Indian-owned franchise in the history of the Hundred tournament.
What was the bidding amount for Abrar Ahmed?
Abrar Ahmed was acquired for £190,000, which is approximately Rs 2.3 crore.
Which other players were sold during the auction?
Usman Tariq was sold for £140,000 to Birmingham Phoenix, while several other Pakistani players went unsold.
When will the next edition of The Hundred take place?
The next edition of The Hundred is scheduled to run from July 21 to August 16, 2026.
