Controversial Signing at The Hundred Auction
During the men’s player auction for The Hundred 2026, Sunrisers Leeds secured Abrar Ahmed for a deal reportedly worth around £190,000 (about $255,000). The signing made headlines because Ahmed became the first Pakistani cricketer to be signed by an Indian-owned franchise in the tournament.The Leeds franchise is owned by the Sun Group, the same organization that owns Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League. Because Pakistani players have not played in the IPL since 2009 due to political tensions between India and Pakistan, the decision drew immediate attention from fans and commentators.
Many supporters questioned why an Indian-linked franchise would sign a Pakistani player, while others argued that franchise cricket should remain separate from geopolitical issues.
Social Media Backlash Intensifies
Soon after the signing was announced, social media platforms were flooded with reactions from cricket fans. Some users criticized the move and targeted the franchise’s leadership, including team figure Kavya Maran, who is closely associated with the Sunrisers brand.The controversy grew rapidly online, with heated debates emerging about cross-border relations in cricket and whether Indian-owned teams should sign Pakistani players in global leagues.
Sunrisers Team’s X Account Suddenly Suspended
Adding another twist to the story, the official X (formerly Twitter) account of Sunrisers Leeds was suspended shortly after the announcement. The account reportedly became inaccessible hours after the franchise confirmed Ahmed’s signing, further fueling speculation and discussion across social media.At the time of writing, neither the franchise nor the platform has issued a clear explanation regarding the suspension, leaving fans guessing about the reason behind the sudden move.
Cricketing Reasons Behind the Decision
Despite the backlash, the franchise management maintained that the decision was purely based on cricketing requirements. According to team officials, the side was looking for a quality overseas spinner after missing out on other options during the auction, which led them to pursue Abrar Ahmed.Ahmed has developed a strong reputation in T20 cricket as a mystery spinner, taking 52 wickets in 38 T20 internationals for Pakistan with a solid economy rate. His skills with the ball made him an attractive option for the Leeds franchise ahead of the upcoming season.
Bigger Debate Around Pakistani Players in Global Leagues
The controversy also reopened a broader conversation about Pakistani cricketers in leagues connected to Indian ownership. In recent years, Pakistani players have rarely appeared in tournaments involving Indian franchises due to long-standing diplomatic tensions between the two nations.However, organizers of The Hundred have clarified that player selections are determined by performance, availability, and team requirements rather than nationality.
A Story Still Unfolding
For now, Abrar Ahmed’s signing remains one of the most debated moments of the Hundred 2026 auction. While some see it as a progressive step toward keeping cricket above politics, others view it as a controversial decision by an Indian-owned franchise.With the tournament approaching and the online debate still raging, the spotlight is likely to remain firmly on Sunrisers Leeds and on Abrar Ahmed in the months ahead.
