ECB Releases Official Statement On Future Of Pakistan Players In The Hundred

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and all eight franchises of The Hundred issued a landmark joint statement on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, forcefully denying reports that Pakistani cricketers would be overlooked in next month’s player auction.

The statement follows a controversial BBC report alleging that the four franchises recently acquired by IPL owners—Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave, and Sunrisers Leeds—intended to bypass Pakistani talent due to geopolitical sensitivities.

The Official Stance: “No Place for Discrimination”

In a rare unified message, the ECB and the team owners (including those from India) reaffirmed their commitment to an inclusive competition.

• On Nationality: “Players must not be excluded on the grounds of their nationality. The Hundred was established to ensure everyone—regardless of ethnicity, gender, faith, or nationality—feels they belong.”+1
• The Selection Criteria: The statement clarified that picks will be based solely on cricketing performance, availability, and team needs.
• Strict Warning: As the governing body, the ECB warned it has “regulations in place to take robust action to tackle any such conduct” that violates anti-discrimination policies.

Pakistani Representation in the 2026 Auction

Despite the “shadow ban” rumors, interest from the players remains at an all-time high.

• Total Registrations: 67 Pakistani players (63 men and 4 women) have officially registered for the auction.
• Top Bracket (£100,000): Elite stars like Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan, and Saim Ayub have entered at the highest possible base price.
• Key Names: T20 World Cup standout Sahibzada Farhan and veteran Mohammad Amir are also on the list.

Context of the Controversy

The tension stems from a long-standing pattern where IPL-owned franchises in global leagues (like South Africa’s SA20 and the UAE’s ILT20) have historically not signed Pakistani players.

• The Harry Brook Factor: England captain Harry Brook recently called the potential exclusion a “shame,” noting that Pakistani players bring “amazing” talent and massive crowds.
• Legal Warnings: Former England star Moeen Ali warned that any proven nationality-based exclusion could lead to severe legal consequences for the franchises involved.

Ownership Breakdown (2026 Season)