Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed has signed with Indian-owned Sunrisers Leeds in the English Cricket Hundred auction.
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Published March 12, 2026
Leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed was sold to Sunrisers Leeds for £190,000 ($254,000) in The Hundred’s men’s auction despite concerns that the Indian-owned team would avoid signing the Pakistani cricketer.
In February, media reports suggested that Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave and Sunrisers Leeds would not consider signing Pakistani players for UK-based competitions amid tensions between neighbors India and Pakistan.
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Following the report, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and all eight franchises stressed that players should not be excluded from selection based on nationality.
Abrar has played 38 Twenty20 matches for Pakistan since making his debut in 2024, taking 52 wickets at an economy rate of 6.67.
The Sunrisers opened bidding for the 27-year-old at 130,000 pounds (approximately $174,000) before increasing their bid to fend off interest from Trent Rockets at auction in London on Thursday.
Non-Indian owner Trent Rockets also tried to sign Abler’s compatriot Usman Tariq, who ultimately joined the Birmingham Phoenix for £140,000 ($187,000).
Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi withdrew from the men’s sale, while Pakistan’s Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf remained unsold. The latter was listed for sale at a reserve price of 100,000 pounds (approximately $134,000) but failed to attract any offers.
Pakistani players have been effectively banned from the Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2009.
James Coles, a 21-year-old all-rounder who plays for Sussex, was the highest bidder in the first half of the auction, going to London Spirit for £390,000 (about $521,000), while Welsh Fire snapped up former England captain Joe Root and Jordan Cox.
The Hundred, the only cricket league in the world to use a 100-ball format, will be held from July 21st to August 16th.
It was opened to private investment last year, with IPL owners acquiring four franchises.
Only two Pakistani players who participated in Wednesday’s women’s auction remained unsold: Fatima Sana and Sadia Iqbal.
