Key points
- Row over Pakistan players’ Hundred future
- IPL-linked teams reportedly not considering them
- Sixty-seven Pakistan players entered auction
- Harry Brook calls exclusion ‘a shame’
COLOMBO: A tweet by Australian journalist Malcolm Conn has brought renewed focus to the question of Pakistan players’ involvement in this year’s Hundred auction.
In a widely shared post, Conn criticised the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), questioning whether the tournament’s IPL-linked franchises would overlook Pakistan cricketers despite 67 of them registering for the draft. His comments came amid British media reports suggesting that teams with Indian Premier League ownership stakes are not considering Pakistan players for the auction, scheduled to take place in London on 11 March (women) and 12 March (men).
This is what happens when you sell your soul as @ECB_cricket have done. Indian prejudice spreading around the world— The Hundred: 67 Pakistan players sign up for auction but Ben Stokes not involved – BBC Sport https://t.co/h38dzvD2y5
— Malcolm Conn (@malcolmconn) February 22, 2026
England white-ball captain Harry Brook said it would be “a shame” if Pakistan players were excluded, calling Pakistan a “great cricket nation” and saying their involvement would strengthen the competition. The Guardian reported that 63 men and four women from Pakistan have entered the process.
The issue has renewed scrutiny of the Hundred’s new ownership model, with Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave and Sunrisers Leeds all at least partly owned by IPL franchise groups. Pakistan players have not featured in the IPL since 2009.
The ECB has insisted the tournament is open to players worldwide, noting that almost 1,000 cricketers from 18 nations have registered. ECB urged teams to reflect diversity. The Times also reported that some leading England players have opted out of the auction, including Ben Stokes.
