ECB, The Hundred Franchises Warn Against Nationality-Based Exclusion Amid Pakistan Concerns

The ECB and The Hundred franchises issued a joint statement stating that players must not be excluded on the basis of nationality.

Amid concerns that Pakistani cricketers could be overlooked in next month’s auction, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the eight franchises of The Hundred released a joint statement making it clear that no player should be excluded on the basis of nationality.

Reports in British media claimed that four of the tournament’s eight teams, which are linked to owners of Indian Premier League franchises, may avoid signing Pakistani players. However, even teams without Indian ownership have had limited representation from Pakistan in previous seasons.

Only two Pakistani players featured in last year’s edition. Across the first five seasons of The Hundred, just nine Pakistani cricketers have taken part. This season, new owners are set to take operational control of the teams.

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“The Hundred was established to reach new audiences, grow the game of cricket and ensure that everyone – regardless of their ethnicity, gender, faith, nationality or other – can feel they belong in our sport. Players must not be excluded on the grounds of their nationality,” the joint statement said.

“As the governing body responsible for running the tournament, the ECB is committed to ensuring there is no place for discrimination, and has regulations in place to take robust action to tackle any such conduct. All eight teams commit to selection being based solely on cricketing performance, availability, and the needs of each team,” it added.

Pakistan Players Register For The Hundred

As many as 63 Pakistani players have reportedly registered for the upcoming auction. On Monday, Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan expressed hope of playing in The Hundred. A total of 67 male and female players from Pakistan, including almost the entire men’s T20 World Cup squad, have entered the auction pool.

Pakistani cricketers have not featured in the IPL since being barred after the 2008 Mumbai attacks carried out by militants from Pakistan. Similarly, no Pakistan player has appeared in SA20 since its launch in 2023, with all six teams in that league owned by IPL-linked franchise groups.

In the UAE’s International League T20, franchises controlled by the owners of MI London and Southern Brave have also not signed a Pakistani player across four seasons.

England captain Harry Brook earlier described it as “a shame” if Pakistan players were missing from the competition. Spinner Moeen Ali warned that excluding players on the basis of nationality could expose owners to legal challenges.

With the auction approaching, the ECB’s statement sends a strong message that selection must remain fair and based purely on cricketing merit.