London: The player auction for England’s The Hundred cricket tournament saw Pakistan leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed picked up by Sunrisers Leeds, a team owned by the Sun Group.
Abrar was bought for Rs 2.34 crore, with the franchise reportedly bidding competitively to secure the Pakistan international. The move has triggered a backlash on social media, with many Indian cricket fans criticising the decision.
The reaction comes against the backdrop that Pakistan players have not featured in India’s Premier League since 2009. The report also notes that tensions between the two countries have spilled into cricketing interactions in recent years.
With the signing now confirmed through the auction, online debate has intensified, focusing on the optics of an Indian-owned franchise investing heavily in a Pakistan player for an overseas league.
