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Resolving the uproar over the presence of Pakistani cricketers in franchise leagues where teams are owned by Indian companies.
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There has been controversy over the inclusion of Pakistani players in a team that is partly owned by an Indian company in a franchise cricket tournament to be held in England.
Four of the eight teams in The Hundred, a professional franchise cricket league organized by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), are sponsored by companies that own the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise.
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According to various media reports last week, Pakistani cricketers will not be considered by these four teams when players are drafted into franchises in the March auction.
This caused an uproar in the cricket world, with current and former players condemning the reported decision and calling on the ECB to ensure the auction process was fair.
Here is the breakdown of the rows:
What did the reports say about the exclusion of Pakistani players?
According to the BBC, a sports agent was informed by an ECB official that Pakistani players on the list of cricketers being considered for the Hundred would not be considered by teams involved in the IPL.
“Another representative described the situation as an ‘unwritten rule’ across the Indian-owned T20 league,” the report said.
What does the ECB say about the participation of Pakistani players?
“The England and Wales Cricket Board and all eight The Hundred team franchises reaffirm their commitment to ensuring The Hundred remains an inclusive, welcoming and open competition for all,” the ECB said in a statement on Wednesday.
“All eight teams are committed to selection based solely on cricket performance, availability and the needs of each team.”
“The Hundred was founded to reach new audiences, grow the game of cricket and ensure that everyone feels like they belong in our sport, regardless of their ethnicity, gender, faith or nationality. This has been our guiding principle from the beginning and remains at the heart of everything we do,” the statement said.
The ECB said it had regulations to take “firm action” against discrimination.
“Athletes should not be excluded based on their nationality,” the statement said.
What are Pakistani players saying?
Pakistan batsman Sahibzada Farhan said that the selection of players is up to the teams, but he is hopeful of being selected as he has registered his interest with the league.
“It’s out of our control who chooses us and who doesn’t,” Farhan, who is the top scorer in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup, said on Monday.
“Wherever the opportunity comes, whoever is interested is going to pick us, we’re ready to play in that league.
“I hope to be selected. Everyone wants to play in the best league. The Hundred is one of the best leagues. Let’s hope for the best.”
Farhan has scored a T20 century in this tournament and is ranked third in the ICC men’s T20 batting rankings.
How many Pakistani players participated in the Hundred Auction?
Fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf are among the 67 Pakistani players participating in next month’s auction.
Farhan, Shadab Khan and Saim Ayub are also on the list.
Pakistan women’s captain Fatima Sana, women’s T20 top-ranked bowler Sadia Iqbal, all-rounder Diana Baig and wicketkeeper-batsman Muneebah Ali participated in the women’s auction.
Have Pakistanis played The Hundred in the past?
Last year’s Hundred had two Pakistani players, Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim, but other players, including Afridi, had also played in the tournament in the past.
Which franchises are owned by Indian companies?
The ECB has full ownership of the competition and its regulations, but last year sold stakes in the league to investors in India and the United States in a bid to raise hundreds of millions of pounds to protect England’s financially battered domestic game.
Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave and Sunrisers Leeds are jointly owned by an Indian company that also owns the IPL team.
When is the Hundred auction held? How can I follow it?
The women’s auction will be held on March 11th, while the men’s auction will be held the following day.
The event will be broadcast live on the league’s website.
