Key points
- Over 60 Pakistan players registered
- IPL-linked teams reportedly not considering them
- Farhan remains hopeful about Hundred
- ECB reminds franchises of responsibilities
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan batter Sahibzada Farhan has acknowledged that the selection of Pakistan players in next month’s Hundred auction is beyond their control, despite clear interest from franchises.
Farhan, 29, is among more than 60 Pakistan cricketers who have entered the inaugural Hundred auction. However, BBC Sport reported last week that the four teams with Indian Premier League (IPL) ownership links are not considering Pakistan players.
“This is not in our hands who picks us or who doesn’t,” Farhan said.
“Whoever is interested in picking us can and we are ready to play in that league.
“It’s not like people are not interested in us.”
Pakistan players have not featured in the IPL amid ongoing political tensions between India and Pakistan, and that pattern appears to extend to IPL-owned franchises globally. MI London, Manchester Super Giants, Sunrisers Leeds and Southern Brave are all either fully or partly owned by IPL sides after the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) sold stakes in the teams last year. The remaining teams — Trent Rockets, London Spirit, Birmingham Phoenix and Welsh Fire — do not have IPL ownership.
Leading run-scorer
Farhan, currently the leading run-scorer at the T20 World Cup and a centurion against Namibia in the group stage, has set his base price at £50,000.
“I’m very hopeful,” he said.
“Because every player wants to play every league, play in the good leagues.
“The Hundred is one of the best leagues. So I hope for the best.”
Thirteen members of Pakistan’s 15-player T20 World Cup squad have registered for the auction, with Fakhar Zaman and former captain Babar Azam the only absentees.
Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and Saim Ayub are among those listed at the top base price of £100,000.
England captain Harry Brook recently said it would be “a shame” if Pakistan players were excluded, while the ECB has reminded all eight franchises of their responsibilities regarding discrimination.
