Abrar Ahmed is one of only two Pakistani players to be selected for this year’s competition
LONDON: (UrduPoint/Pakistan Point News-March 12nd, 2026) Pakistani mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed has been signed by the Sunrisers Leeds franchise in England’s domestic cricket tournament, The Hundred 2026, for £190,000 (approximately PKR 7.12 million). The signing came during the high-profile player auction for the tournament.
Abrar Ahmed is one of only two Pakistani players to be selected for this year’s competition. In a separate move, Birmingham Phoenix acquired another Pakistani spinner, Usman Tariq, for £140,000 (around PKR 5.32 million).
Ahead of the auction, speculation had circulated that no franchise with Indian ties would pick a Pakistani player. However, Sunrisers Leeds, owned by Kavya Miran, proved the rumors wrong, generating significant attention and discussion on social media.
The move has also sparked criticism from some Indian social media users, who questioned Miran’s decision to include a Pakistani player in her team, highlighting the cross-border sensitivities often present in cricket leagues.
Abrar Ahmed’s selection is being hailed as a milestone for Pakistan’s emerging spinners, reflecting the growing recognition of young talent in international domestic leagues beyond South Asia. Experts say such opportunities can boost the careers of Pakistani cricketers and strengthen their exposure to high-level competition.
Both Sunrisers Leeds and Birmingham Phoenix will feature the Pakistani players in The Hundred 2026, which begins later this year, offering a platform for emerging talent to showcase their skills to a global audience.
Spinner Usman Tariq purchased for £140,000 during 100 League Auction
Besides it, Emerging Pakistani spinner Usman Tariq has been purchased for £140,000 in the auction of the UK County 100 League. Birmingham Phoenix secured Tariq as part of their squad, following competitive bidding by various franchise teams.
However, fellow Pakistanis Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan went unsold during the auction.
In a separate development, Pakistan’s young off-spinner Abrar Ahmed was acquired by Indian franchise Sunrisers Leeds for £190,000. This is the first time a Pakistani player has been bought by an Indian franchise for a major tournament, highlighting the growing recognition of Pakistan’s emerging cricket talent on the international stage.
