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Sunrisers Hyderabad Owners Face Backlash Over Pakistani Player Signing
13 Mar
Summary
- Sunrisers Leeds signed Pakistani spinner Abrar Ahmed for £190,000.
- The move sparked calls for boycotts ahead of the 2026 season.
- All franchises committed to selection based solely on performances.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) ownership has encountered significant backlash on social media following the acquisition of Pakistani leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed by their team, Sunrisers Leeds. Ahmed was secured for £190,000 during The Hundred auction held earlier this week.
This controversial signing has fueled demands for a boycott of the Sunrisers franchise. The development comes despite prior speculation that Indian-owned teams in the competition might refrain from selecting Pakistani players due to ongoing political tensions between the two nations. Notably, no Pakistani cricketer has participated in the Indian Premier League since 2009.
However, the England and Wales Cricket Board clarified that all eight franchises in The Hundred are dedicated to making selections based strictly on player performance. Usman Tariq was the sole other Pakistani player selected, joining the American-owned Birmingham Phoenix.




