Michael Vaughan, a former captain of the England cricket team, has called on the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to take swift action following reports that franchises owned by the Indian Premier League (IPL) may opt not to sign Pakistani players during the upcoming auction for The Hundred. Vaughan expressed his concerns on X, emphasising that the ECB, as the owner of the league, should not permit such exclusions. He remarked that cricket, as one of the most inclusive sports in England, should not tolerate these developments.

The ECB need 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 .. https://t.co/IYysTSIYHt

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 20, 2026

Impact of Political Tensions

This situation has brought to light the increasing worries about how political relations may affect decisions within cricket’s franchise leagues. The longstanding diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan are potentially influencing player selections in this domestic English tournament. The Hundred comprises eight franchises, four of which are partially owned by entities associated with the IPL, thus raising valid concerns over the fairness of selection practices.

Reported Exclusions from The Hundred

Recent reports indicate that Pakistani players may be omitted from contract considerations by franchises co-owned by IPL groups, particularly for the auction scheduled in March. Among these franchises are the Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave, and Sunrisers Leeds. Such exclusions reflect a continuing pattern within leagues linked to IPL ownership. Notably, no Pakistani cricketer has participated in South Africa’s SA20 league since its debut in 2023, where all six teams are owned by IPL-affiliated groups. Similarly, in the UAE’s ILT20, franchises controlled by the owners of MI London and Southern Brave have not recruited any Pakistani players throughout four seasons.

Past Participation of Pakistani Cricketers

Pakistani players have historically played a significant role in The Hundred. Cricketer Imad Wasim represented the Northern Superchargers last season, which has since been rebranded as Sunrisers Leeds. Other notable players, including Mohammad Amir, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, and Haris Rauf, have also competed in the event. However, no women cricketers from Pakistan have yet made an appearance in the tournament.

ECB’s Stance on Inclusivity

Richard Gould, the ECB chief executive, stated last year that he anticipated the selection of players from all nations for every team in The Hundred. He reiterated that the tournament’s organizers have established stringent anti-discrimination policies aimed at ensuring equitable treatment for all players. Despite this commitment to inclusivity, the imminent increase in player salaries for the upcoming season raises concerns regarding the potential economic impact on Pakistani cricketers who may miss out on contracts.

Awaiting ECB’s Response

As of now, the ECB has not publicly addressed Vaughan’s appeal for intervention. The potential decisions made during the auction could significantly influence the future landscape of The Hundred and the participation of international talent within the league.

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