The England and Wales Cricket Board and all eight Hundred franchises have issued a joint statement committing to select players based solely on performance, without regard to nationality. This follows reports that Indian-owned teams might exclude Pakistan cricketers from the upcoming auction due to diplomatic tensions. The move aims to ensure the tournament remains inclusive ahead of the March player draft.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has addressed concerns over potential discrimination in The Hundred by sending letters to the directors of all eight franchises, warning against excluding players based on nationality. A joint statement from the ECB and the teams emphasizes that "all eight teams commit to selection being based solely on cricketing performance, availability, and the needs of each team." It further states that "players must not be excluded on the grounds of their nationality," with the ECB prepared to take robust action against any discriminatory conduct.
Reports from BBC Sport indicated that four franchises part-owned by Indian Premier League (IPL) entities—Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave, and Sunrisers Leeds—were not considering Pakistan players for the 2026 tournament. This mirrors the absence of Pakistan cricketers in the IPL since 2009, attributed to diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan. No such players have appeared in other leagues like SA20, ILT20, or Major League Cricket involving IPL owners.
England captain Harry Brook commented on the issue during the T20 World Cup, saying, "It would be a shame to not see some of the Pakistan players in there and make this tournament and competition even better." He highlighted Pakistan's contributions to cricket and their ability to draw crowds.
Sixty-seven Pakistan players, including Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah, have registered for the auction scheduled for March 11-12 in London. The tournament itself runs from July 21 to August 16. Two Pakistan internationals, Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim, participated in the 2025 edition before private investments took hold.
The UK government's Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has discussed the matter with the ECB, stating that "nationality should not be a deciding factor in the selection of players." The Mayor of London's office echoed this, calling exclusion based on nationality "unacceptable" and urging action ahead of the auction.
The franchises without IPL affiliations—London Spirit, Birmingham Phoenix, Trent Rockets, and Welsh Fire—remain potential options for Pakistan players. While the statement reinforces inclusivity, its impact will be evident post-auction.
