IPL-linked Sunrisers Leeds sign Abrar Ahmed for The Hundred
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March 13, 2026
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Leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed was snapped up by Sunrisers Leeds — a Hundred franchise with links to the Indian Premier League — on Thursday despite fears
An illustrative image related to: IPL-linked Sunrisers Leeds sign Abrar Ahmed for The Hundred, highlighting key aspects of the story. | Image source: Dawn.com
IPL-linked Sunrisers Leeds sign Abrar Ahmed for The Hundred
Leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed was snapped up by Sunrisers Leeds — a Hundred franchise with links to the Indian Premier League — on Thursday despite fears Pakistani players would be frozen out due to political tensions.
The England and Wales Cricket Board last month issued a comment saying all eight of the metro-based franchises in the 100-ball-a-side competition were committed to selection based solely on performances.
A longstanding political stand-off between India and Pakistan means the two nations only play each other in senior officer global cricket events.
Cricketers from Pakistan have not featured in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2009 because of external tensions.
The only two Pakistan players in Wednesday’s women’s auction, Fatima Sana and Sadia Iqbal, went unsold.
Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi withdrew from the men’s sale and fellow paceman Haris Rauf failed to attract an offer when put up for his reserve price of £100,000 at the auction in London on Thursday.
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