Sunrisers Leeds Buy Pakistan Spinner Abrar Ahmed for Rs 2.34 Crore in The Hundred, BCCI Responds to Controversy
Sunrisers Leeds buy Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed for Rs 2.34 crore in The Hundred auction, sparking fan criticism and boycott calls for IPL 2026 as BCCI clarifies its position.
The decision of Sunrisers Leeds to buy Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed for Rs 2.34 crore in The Hundred auction has sparked a major controversy among cricket fans. The move has drawn criticism online, especially from supporters of Sunrisers Hyderabad, with some even calling for a boycott of IPL 2026 matches.
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The issue gained further attention after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) clarified that it has no authority to interfere, since the signing happened in an overseas league.
Sunrisers Leeds Sign Abrar Ahmed for Rs 2.34 Crore
During the latest auction of the overseas franchise tournament The Hundred, Sunrisers Leeds purchased Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed for Rs 2.34 crore.
The auction was attended by key representatives of the franchise, including:
- Sunrisers CEO Kavya Maran
- Head coach Daniel Vettori
The franchise secured the services of the mystery spinner as part of its squad-building strategy for the upcoming season of the English franchise league.
However, the signing quickly became a topic of debate due to the player’s nationality and the involvement of an IPL-owned franchise.
Fans React, Calls for IPL 2026 Boycott
Following the announcement that Sunrisers Leeds bought Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed, several cricket fans took to social media to express their anger.
Some Sunrisers Hyderabad supporters questioned why a Pakistani player was signed by a franchise connected to an IPL team, considering that Pakistani cricketers have not played in the IPL since 2008.
As the discussion intensified online, a section of fans even called for a boycott of IPL 2026 matches, although these reactions have largely remained limited to social media platforms.
BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla Clarifies Stand
Amid the growing controversy over Sunrisers Leeds buying Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed in The Hundred, BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla addressed the issue.
He clarified that the signing does not fall under the jurisdiction of the IPL or the BCCI.
According to Shukla:
- The signing took place in The Hundred, a foreign league
- The BCCI does not regulate overseas franchise tournaments
- The franchise has the final authority to select players
His statement indicates that the Indian cricket board will not intervene in the matter.
Pakistani Players and the IPL
Since the inaugural edition of the Indian Premier League in 2008, no Pakistani international cricketer has participated in the IPL due to the ongoing political tensions between India and Pakistan.
However, the situation is different in global franchise cricket.
Across the world:
- Several IPL franchise owners operate teams in international leagues
- These teams can sign Pakistani players in foreign competitions
- Pakistani cricketers regularly feature in various T20 leagues globally
The latest development, where Sunrisers Leeds bought Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed for Rs 2.34 crore in The Hundred, highlights how global franchise cricket operates differently from the IPL.
As discussions continue online, the controversy surrounding Abrar Ahmed’s signing by Sunrisers Leeds remains one of the most talked-about cricket stories ahead of the IPL 2026 season.
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