The recently concluded draft for The Hundred League has left Pakistani cricketers in a state of utter dismay. A total of 50 Pakistani players, comprising 45 men and 5 women, had registered for the draft, but not a single one of them was picked. The most disappointing aspect was that big names like Imad Wasim, Saam Ayub, Shadab Khan, Naseem Shah, and Hasan Ali went unsold. The fate of the female players was no different, with not a single bid being placed on the likes of Aliya Riaz, Fatima Sana, and Iram Javed.
Ownership Shift in The Hundred League
The ownership dynamics of The Hundred League have undergone a significant transformation. Previously, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) held ownership of all the teams. However, ahead of the upcoming season, four out of the eight teams have been partially or fully acquired by Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises. This development may have contributed to the lack of interest in Pakistani players during the draft. For instance, Mumbai Indians purchased a 49% stake in the Oval Invincibles, while the Lucknow Super Giants acquired a 70% stake in the Manchester Originals.
Furthermore, the Sun Group, owners of the Sunrisers Hyderabad, has taken full ownership of the Northern Superchargers. The Delhi Capitals franchise has also acquired a 49% stake in the Southern Brave. This influx of IPL franchises in The Hundred League may have influenced the teams’ recruitment strategies, potentially affecting the prospects of Pakistani players.
Pakistani Players’ Long-standing Exclusion from the IPL
It’s worth noting that Pakistani players have been absent from the IPL since 2009. Initially, players like Shoaib Akhtar, Shahid Afridi, and Sohail Tanvir participated in the inaugural edition of the IPL in 2008. However, following the 2009 season, Pakistani players were barred from participating in the league. Nevertheless, renowned Pakistani cricketers like Wasim Akram and Ramiz Raja have been involved with the IPL as commentators. The SA20 League, where all six teams are owned by IPL franchises, has also excluded Pakistani players from participation. The persistent absence of Pakistani players from these prominent leagues is a telling sign of the complexities surrounding their involvement in international cricket.