Former England captain Michael Vaughan has commented on speculations that Pakistan players may be ignored in this year's The Hundred, with the four teams associated with the Indian Premier League unlikely to select them in next month's auction.
The Hundred's new season, which runs from July 21 to August 16, 2026, follows substantial private investment that has significantly increased player pay. Notably, 63 Pakistani players have registered for the Hundred 2026 player auction.
However, while earnings are expected to rise, Pakistani cricketers may not benefit from the increase. Since 2009, IPL-owned clubs have avoided signing Pakistani players, owing to longstanding political difficulties between the two countries.
“A senior official from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) indicated to an agent that interest in his Pakistan players would be limited to sides not linked to the IPL," said BBC in a report on Thursday.
Vaughan has urged the England and Wales Cricket Board to take action amid mounting concerns that Pakistan players may be overlooked by IPL-owned clubs at the 2018 The Hundred auction is calling for prompt action to preserve the league's inclusive culture.
"The ECB needs to act fast on this... they own the league, and this should not be allowed to happen... the most inclusive sport in the country is not one that allows this to happen..." Vaughan wrote on X.
Pakistani players have been barred from participating in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2009 due to ongoing political difficulties between the two countries, and Bangladeshi cricketers have lately suffered a similar setback.
"Another agent described the situation as 'an unwritten rule' across T20 leagues with Indian investment," the report added.
Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Usman Tariq are among the 63 Pakistani cricketers who have registered for The Hundred's 2026 auction.
The list includes both veteran internationals and young prospects, demonstrating Pakistan's great interest in competing in England's 100-ball competition ahead of the new season.
