Abrar controversy: List of Pak players playing for Indian-owned teams

NEW DELHI: The signing of Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed by Sunrisers Leeds successful The Hundred has sparked statement online, but the BCCI, done its vice president Rajeev Shukla, has distanced itself.

The franchise, owned by the Sun Group, which besides runs Sunrisers Hyderabad successful the IPL, bought Abrar for GBP 190,000 (around Rs 2.34 crore) during Thursday’s auction aft a bidding conflict with Trent Rockets. The tourney volition instrumentality spot from July 21 to August 16.

BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla made it wide that the Indian committee does not power decisions made successful overseas leagues. “It doesn’t interest us. It’s not the IPL. What happens successful The Hundred oregon different overseas leagues, we person thing to bash with it,” Shukla told PTI.

Abrar’s signing triggered backlash connected societal media, and the Sunrisers Leeds X relationship was suspended briefly. The absorption reflects the long-standing lack of Pakistani players successful the IPL since 2009, erstwhile worsening diplomatic relations betwixt India and Pakistan efficaciously ended their information successful the league.Sunrisers Leeds came nether the Sun Group’s power past twelvemonth aft it bought a 49% involvement from the England and Wales Cricket Board and the remaining 51% from Yorkshire for astir GBP 100 million.

Sunrisers CEO Kavya Maran attended the auction.Interestingly, Abrar wasn’t the lone Pakistan subordinate picked successful the auction. Mystery spinner Usman Tariq was earlier bought by Birmingham Phoenix for GBP 140,000, though that squad has nary IPL links.Despite the IPL ban, Pakistani players person inactive appeared successful overseas leagues for teams connected to IPL owners. Recently, Several Pakistani cricketers person played for Indian-owned oregon co-owned franchises successful overseas T20 leagues.Imad Wasim featured for Abu Dhabi Knight Riders successful the ILT20 successful 2023–24 and aboriginal for Seattle Orcas successful Major League Cricket successful 2024 and 2025, a squad co-owned by the Delhi Capitals’ GMR Group. Zaman Khan besides played for Seattle Orcas successful MLC 2024. The aforesaid year, Mohammad Amir and Usman Tariq played for Trinbago Knight Riders successful the CPL, a franchise owned by Kolkata Knight Riders.