The England and Wales Cricket Board, along with all eight franchises of The Hundred, have made it clear that player selection will remain rooted in performance and availability, following concerns about the potential exclusion of Pakistan players during the upcoming auction.
Recently, BBC reported that Indian-owned teams - Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave, and Sunrisers Leeds - will not consider signing Pakistani players due to ongoing tensions between the countries.
Amid the speculations, the ECB issued a statement emphasising its commitment to inclusivity, explicitly stating that players must not be excluded on the grounds of their nationality.
“The England and Wales Cricket Board and all eight of The Hundred team franchises reaffirm their commitment to ensuring The Hundred continues to be a competition that is inclusive, welcoming and open to all,” the ECB statement read.
“The Hundred was established to reach new audiences, grow the game of cricket and ensure that everyone – regardless of their ethnicity, gender, faith, nationality or other – can feel they belong in our sport. This has been a guiding principle from the outset and remains at the heart of everything we do.
ECB added: “As the governing body responsible for running the tournament, the ECB is committed to ensuring there is no place for discrimination, and has regulations in place to take robust action to tackle any such conduct. Players must not be excluded on the grounds of their nationality.
“All eight teams commit to selection being based solely on cricketing performance, availability, and the needs of each team.
“This reflects the broader commitment of the ECB to make cricket the most inclusive sport, creating opportunities, breaking down barriers and ensuring that players from all backgrounds have a fair and equal pathway to the top of the game.”
"We want The Hundred to feature the very best talent from across the world, and will continue working proactively to ensure that the competition is a benchmark for inclusivity."
The ECB statement was also shared by MI London, which is co-owned by renowned IPL franchise Mumbai Indians.
A total of 67 male and female cricketers from Pakistan have registered for The Hundred auction, scheduled for March 11 and 12.
