Mumbai Indians break barrier, open doors for Pakistan cricketers

The England and Wales Cricket Board has clarified reports claiming that Indian-linked franchises in The Hundred would avoid picking Pakistani players. The ECB, along with all eight teams, stated that nationality will not be a factor in the upcoming auction and that selection will be based only on performance.

Earlier, the BBC reported that four Indian-owned franchises in the competition were unlikely to consider Pakistani players at the auction. Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave, and Sunrisers Leeds could avoid Pakistan players due to ongoing tensions between the two neighbouring countries.

Amid speculation, the ECB stated that no player can be left out of The Hundred because of nationality. The board also added that discrimination has no place in the competition, with strict rules in place to deal with any such behaviour.

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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. This has been a guiding principle from the outset and remains at the heart of everything we do," an ECB statement read.

"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. Players must not be excluded on the grounds of their nationality."

"MI London is committed to ensuring The Hundred is a competition that it is inclusive, welcoming and open to all"

The ECB said that all eight teams in The Hundred will pick players only on cricketing performance, availability, and team needs. The board added that The Hundred aims to showcase the best global talent and remain a model tournament for inclusivity.

"All eight teams commit to selection being based solely on cricketing performance, availability, and the needs of each team," the statement added.

"This reflects the broader commitment of the ECB to make cricket the most inclusive sport, creating opportunities, breaking down barriers and ensuring that players from all backgrounds have a fair and equal pathway to the top of the game."

"We want The Hundred to feature the very best talent from across the world, and will continue working proactively to ensure that the competition is a benchmark for inclusivity."

"MI London is committed to ensuring The Hundred is a competition that it is inclusive, welcoming and open to all," MI London said in an official statement.

MI London is committed to ensuring The Hundred is a competition that it is inclusive, welcoming and open to all.

Players must not be excluded on the grounds of their nationality.

Alongside the other seven teams, we commit to selection being based solely on cricketing… pic.twitter.com/oOZgJJX3cA

— MI London (@MILondonCricket) February 24, 2026

67 Pakistan Cricketers Register for The Hundred Auction in London

A total of 67 Pakistan cricketers have registered for The Hundred auction, scheduled to take place on March 11-12 in London. 63 men and four women, including names such as Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah, have registered.

In the 2025 season, Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim were the only Pakistan players to feature in the competition. That edition was also the final one before private investment reshaped the tournament.

Among the eight teams, London Spirit, Birmingham Phoenix, Trent Rockets, and Welsh Fire are the four franchises that do not have links to the Indian Premier League.

Pakistan players have largely remained absent from the Indian Premier League since 2009, with only a few featuring in other franchise leagues involving Indian ownership.

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