Former England captain Michael Vaughan has urged the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to step in amid reports that franchises linked to the Indian Premier League (IPL) could sideline Pakistani players at the upcoming The Hundred draft.
Reacting on X, Vaughan said the ECB must act quickly if such a move is indeed being considered. “The ECB need to act fast on this. They own the league, and this should not be allowed to happen. The most inclusive sport in the country is not one that allows this to happen,” he posted.
The issue has sparked fresh debate about whether political tensions are beginning to shape decisions in franchise cricket. With India-Pakistan relations remaining strained, there are concerns that those dynamics may be influencing recruitment choices — even in a domestic tournament in England.
According to a report by Press Trust of India, Pakistani players might not be considered by teams that are co-owned by IPL entities during the March auction. Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave and Sunrisers Leeds are among the franchises said to have IPL connections.
Wider trend across leagues?
If confirmed, the development would follow a pattern seen in other IPL-backed competitions. Since the launch of South Africa’s SA20 in 2023 — where all six franchises are owned by IPL-linked groups — no Pakistani cricketer has taken part in the tournament.
A similar situation has played out in the UAE’s ILT20, where franchises connected to the ownership of MI London and Southern Brave have not signed any Pakistani players across multiple seasons.
Past involvement in The Hundred
Pakistani cricketers have featured in The Hundred before. Imad Wasim played for Northern Superchargers last season, a team now rebranded as Sunrisers Leeds. Mohammad Amir, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf have also appeared in earlier editions. However, no Pakistani woman cricketer has represented a side in the competition so far.
ECB chief executive Richard Gould had previously said he expected players “from all nations” to be eligible for selection and pointed to clear anti-discrimination policies governing the tournament.
With player salaries set to rise significantly this season, any potential exclusion could have financial implications for those affected. The ECB has not yet publicly responded to Vaughan’s remarks.