Kavya Maran’s SunRisers Leeds Sign Abrar Ahmed in The Hundred 2026 Auction Despite IPL-Linked Concerns

by Shekhar March 13, 2026

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SunRisers Leeds bought Pakistan leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed in the The Hundred 2026 auction. Even though there were reports that teams linked to the Indian Premier League (IPL) would not bid for Pakistani players, SunRisers still went ahead and signed Abrar. Trent Rockets had initially started the bid at £100,000, but SunRisers joined in quickly. They both went toe-to-toe until the figure reached £190,000 (approximately INR 2.34 crore).

Then Trent Rockets pulled out of the bidding. Abrar Ahmed became only the second Pakistani player to be sold in the The Hundred 2026 auction. Earlier, Birmingham Phoenix had signed Usman Tarif, and SunRisers Leeds did not bid for him.

SunRisers Leeds Sign Abrar Ahmed Despite IPL-Linked Franchise Concerns

Shadab Khan, Saim Ayub, and Haris Rauf didn’t get any bids. Meanwhile, Shaheen Shah Afridi pulled out of The Hundred 2026 auction just moments before.

It may be the first time since Pakistani players were banned from the Indian Premier League in 2009 that a franchise linked to India has signed a Pakistani cricketer.

In the SA20, where all teams are connected to IPL franchises, no Pakistani player has been picked. The same situation has been seen in other leagues as well until now. SunRisers Leeds’ decision to buy Abrar made several unhappy online in India. For those who are unaware, Abrar had mocked the Indian armed forces after Operation Sindoor in May.

He had used the incident of Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman being captured by the Pakistan Air Force. The images of Abhinandan drinking tea have been used by several Pakistanis to take aim at India. Abrar was one of those who took part as well.

BCCI Likely to Add Extra Matches in Already Packed 12-Month Schedule for Team India The next 12 months will be very busy for the Indian cricket team.

by Shekhar March 12, 2026

Kavya Maran’s SunRisers Leeds Sign Abrar Ahmed in The Hundred 2026 Auction Despite IPL-Linked Concerns

SunRisers Leeds Sign Abrar Ahmed Despite IPL-Linked Franchise Concerns

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