IPL-Backed Teams Target Pakistani Stars In The Hundred Draft
IPL-backed Hundred teams consider Pakistani players during upcoming draft planning.
Franchises participating in The Hundred have reportedly explored the possibility of signing Pakistani cricketers, with interest not limited to the IPL-backed team Northern Superchargers—recently rebranded as Sunrisers Leeds following investment from the owners of Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Reports indicate that another franchise, Oval Invincibles, also had Pakistani players on its wishlist during discussions around overseas recruitment. The development has drawn attention because players from Pakistan rarely feature in leagues connected to Indian Premier League investors due to long-standing cricketing and political tensions between India and Pakistan.
The potential interest in Pakistani cricketers reflects the growing commercial transformation of The Hundred after private investment was opened to franchise owners linked to major global T20 leagues. Several IPL stakeholders recently acquired stakes in teams, increasing the league’s international profile and raising questions about player recruitment policies.
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Sunrisers Hyderabad’s ownership group purchased a stake in the Leeds-based franchise, leading to its rebranding as Sunrisers Leeds. With the IPL franchise already operating in the world’s most lucrative T20 competition, the move is viewed as part of a broader strategy by investors to build multi-team cricket networks across leagues.
However, the reported consideration of Pakistani players by franchises has generated debate within cricket circles. While The Hundred itself does not impose restrictions based on nationality, franchises with IPL connections have historically avoided signing Pakistani players due to the absence of Pakistan cricketers in the IPL since 2009.
Despite these complexities, analysts say the discussions highlight the evolving dynamics of franchise cricket. As leagues increasingly attract international investors and expand their global footprint, decisions about player recruitment, commercial partnerships and cross-league relationships are expected to become more complex in the years ahead.
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