England and Wales Cricket Board has moved quickly after reports claimed that certain franchises in The Hundred could sideline Pakistan players in the upcoming 2026 draft.
More than 60 Pakistan cricketers have registered for the auction, but a report by the BBC suggested that four teams with links to Indian Premier League ownership groups might be reluctant to sign them. Although no franchise has publicly confirmed such a stance, the speculation prompted the ECB to write to all eight Hundred teams, reminding them of their obligations under anti-discrimination and fair selection regulations.
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While the board cannot dictate who a franchise must pick, it has made clear that recruitment decisions must remain within regulatory boundaries. If credible concerns arise, the ECB can escalate the matter to the independent Cricket Regulator for investigation or impose sanctions if rules are found to have been breached.
The controversy has gathered momentum amid rising financial stakes in the competition, following fresh private investment and increased player salaries. The backdrop to the issue is the longstanding political tension between India and Pakistan, which has kept Pakistan players out of the Indian Premier League for more than a decade. Reports suggest that similar dynamics could now be influencing IPL-affiliated ownership groups operating in other leagues.
Four Hundred franchises, Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave and Sunrisers Leeds have partial investments linked to IPL entities such as the Mumbai Indians, Lucknow Super Giants, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals. With over 60 Pakistan players in the draft pool, any coordinated omission would inevitably spark scrutiny and intensify the debate over whether geopolitics is spilling into global franchise cricket.
Reacting to the developments, England captain Harry Brook said it would be unfortunate if Pakistan players were overlooked, while former skipper Michael Vaughan urged administrators to ensure cricketing decisions remain separate from political considerations.
