Pakistan’s Abrar signed by India-owned Sunrisers in Nuru auction | cricket news

Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed has been signed by Indian-owned Sunrisers Leeds in England Cricket’s Hundred auction.

Leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed was bought by Sunrisers Leeds for 190,000 pounds ($254,000) in the men’s auction for the Hundred, despite concerns that Indian-owned teams may avoid signing cricketers from Pakistan.

In February, media reports suggested that Manchester Supergiants, MI London, Southern Braves and Sunrisers Leeds would not consider signing Pakistani players for the United Kingdom-based competition amid tensions between neighboring India and Pakistan.

Following the report, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and all eight franchises stressed that players should not be excluded from selection based on nationality.

Abrar has played 38 Twenty20 matches for Pakistan since his debut in 2024, taking 52 wickets with an economy rate of 6.67.

The Sunrisers opened bidding for the 27-year-old at 130,000 pounds ($174,000) before raising their bid to fend off interest from Trent Rockets at an auction in London on Thursday.

Trent Rockets, not Indian-owned, tried to sign Abrar’s compatriot Usman Tariq, who eventually joined Birmingham Phoenix for 140,000 pounds ($187,000).

Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi withdrew from the men’s sale, while Pakistan’s Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf went unsold – failing to attract an offer when their reserve price was set at 100,000 pounds ($134,000).

Pakistani players have been effectively banned from the Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2009.

James Coles, a 21-year-old all-rounder who plays for Sussex, fetched the highest price in the first half of the auction as he was snapped up by London Spirit for 390,000 pounds ($521,000), while the Welsh Fire picked up former England captain Jodan Coxat and Zor.

The Hundred, the only cricket league in the world to use the 100-ball format, will be played from July 21 to August 16.

It was opened to private investment last year, with the IPL owners acquiring four franchises.

Only two Pakistani players, Fatima Sana and Sadia Iqbal, remained unsold in the women’s auction held on Wednesday.