LONDON: Indian-owned franchise Sunrisers Leeds signed Pakistan leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed during the 2026 player auction of The Hundred, marking a notable moment in the tournament’s growing global profile. The franchise secured the services of the mystery spinner for £190,000 as teams finalized their squads for the upcoming season.
Abrar’s selection attracted attention as it came amid speculation about whether franchises linked to the Indian Premier League (IPL) would sign Pakistani players. The move effectively ended those doubts, highlighting that selections in the England and Wales Cricket Board’s 100-ball competition are based on performance and team requirements.
Usman Tariq Also Finds A Buyer
Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq was another player to benefit from the auction, earning a contract with Birmingham Phoenix. The 28-year-old was picked for £140,000, making him one of the few Pakistani cricketers to secure a deal in the competition.
However, several high-profile Pakistani players went unsold during the auction despite strong reputations in the T20 format. Among those who did not attract bids were fast bowler Haris Rauf and all-rounder Shadab Khan.
First Full Auction Format Introduced
The 2026 season marks the first time The Hundred has adopted a full auction format instead of the draft system used in previous editions. The event took place in London, with franchises competing to assemble competitive squads ahead of the tournament.
Tournament Scheduled For July–August
The sixth edition of The Hundred is scheduled to be played from July 21 to August 16, 2026, across venues in England and Wales. Eight men’s teams and eight women’s teams will compete in the tournament, which has become one of the most prominent short-format leagues in world cricket.
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