Key points
- IPL-linked teams under scrutiny
- Players may consider collective action
- ECB warns against recruitment discrimination
ISLAMABAD: Former England captain Moeen Ali has spoken out against reports that IPL-linked franchises in The Hundred may avoid signing Pakistan players, saying discrimination “cannot happen in the UK”.
Moeen cautioned that players could consider collective action if there is evidence that Pakistani cricketers are being systematically overlooked by Indian-owned teams, stressing that nationality-based exclusion would be unacceptable in British sport.
The four Hundred sides with Indian Premier League links — Manchester Originals, London Spirit, Southern Brave and Northern Superchargers — are reportedly reluctant to recruit Pakistan players this season amid political tensions between India and Pakistan.
Moeen, a member of England’s 2019 ODI and 2022 T20 World Cup-winning squads, described it as “a massive shame” if players were sidelined because of their nationality and called on the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to monitor the situation.
International cricket
“In the UK, I’m not sure that can happen – and I hope it doesn’t happen,” Moeen told Telegraph Sport. “It just shouldn’t happen, hopefully it won’t happen. We just have to wait and see if it does, but I think it’d be a massive shame, and I’m sure the ECB will definitely keep an eye out.”
The all-rounder, who retired from international cricket last year, said players would likely unite if discrimination were evident.
“There’ll be a group of players that will speak up,” he added. “There’ll be things done about it. I think players should speak up. Anyone that has any sort of concern for these kind of things – it doesn’t matter if they have Pakistani heritage – should speak up.
“Obviously, the news is very new. So I’ve not really had a chance to speak to anyone, but most of the players would be on the same page.
“It’d be really interesting to see what happens, because I genuinely think other countries can do what they want, obviously we’re not in control of those things, but in the UK, we have a bit more say about these things.”
IPL-linked Hundred teams
The debate comes amid growing Indian ownership across global franchise leagues. All six SA20 teams in South Africa are IPL-owned, and no Pakistan player has appeared in the tournament across four seasons. Similar trends have been observed in UAE and US leagues involving IPL-backed franchises.
Moeen acknowledged that proving discrimination could be difficult but said repeated patterns would be telling.
“The difficulty is that you can’t really prove anything if they don’t get picked. But if it happens for three or four years in a row, that’s different,” he said.
The ECB has since written to franchises, warning that recruitment discrimination could prompt action, with the independent Cricket Regulator empowered to pursue charges if necessary.
Moeen expressed concern that the issue had not been addressed more openly.
Bangladeshi players
“These kind of things have been happening for ages now it’s time for a solution, because it’s not fair – it’s obviously discriminating against certain type of people,” Moeen said. “It’s horrible.
“I just find it strange that no one really talks about it too much. Especially at the top, no one really mentions it. People have not been speaking about it so they don’t get in trouble.”
He also suggested Bangladeshi players could face similar challenges amid strained relations with India.
Moeen admitted players may hesitate to speak out given the influence of Indian-backed franchises worldwide.
“It’s such a difficult one, because all these teams are everywhere in every league. So now if players speak out, or if they say anything, then it affects their career. It’s a difficult position for players to be in. When you’re an older player like myself, you don’t really care too much.”
ECB
He questioned whether the ECB had fully considered issues of fair access when selling stakes in Hundred teams, noting that while it retains some oversight, it cannot dictate auction selections.
“It probably didn’t even cross their mind that much, honestly, because our mindset is not like that in England, I just think when they sold, it just didn’t cross their mind,” he added.
Despite his concerns, Moeen spoke warmly about his time in the IPL and encouraged the ECB to help foster better cricketing ties between India and Pakistan.
“I’ve had amazing experiences playing there. I don’t want to knock India or anything like that. Playing IPL was the best thing that happened for my career.
“I’ve been treated amazingly well there. I played with some of the best players in the world who treated me like one of their own. When you’re there, it’s one of the best places to play.
India-Pakistan Test matches
He also floated the idea of England hosting neutral India-Pakistan Test matches.
“I would love to see Pakistan play India in England at a neutral ground. I think it’d be amazing for Test cricket, because they never play against each other. The crowds would be amazing, and the following would be amazing.
“Imagine what it’ll do for the game. The following that the teams have in England is huge. It’d be amazing to have that.”
Moeen has entered this year’s Hundred auction, scheduled for 11 and 12 March. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Test series against West Indies overlaps with the competition, which could affect availability irrespective of selection decisions.
