Which Pakistan star earned a deal with an IPL-linked franchise in The Hundred 2026 auction?

Sunrisers Leeds, owned by Chennai-based media conglomerate Sun Group, on Thursday signed Pakistan mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed during the player auction of The Hundred. With this move, he became the first Pakistan cricketer to be picked by an Indian-owned franchise in the tournament.

The Sunrisers paid GBP 190,000 (around Rs 2.34 crore) to secure Ahmed after a bidding contest with Trent Rockets.

Abrar at Headingley, soon 👏

[Play With Fire | SunRisers Leeds] pic.twitter.com/Yqm204j091

— SunRisers Leeds (@sunrisersleeds) March 12, 2026

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Talks around Pakistan players and IPL-linked franchises

His signing also ended the discussions around whether Indian-linked franchises would avoid Pakistan players in the auction. In the weeks leading up to the event, there was a lot of talk around the possibility that teams connected to the Indian Premier League might boycott Pakistan cricketers. The topic had sparked debates across the cricketing world and several former players had also shared their views.

The hesitation was largely linked to the fact that IPL franchises have not signed Pakistan players since 2009 due to strained diplomatic relations between the two neighboring countries.

The Sun Group, which also owns Sunrisers Hyderabad, completed a full takeover of the former Northern Superchargers franchise last year. The group bought a 49 percent stake from the England and Wales Cricket Board and the remaining 51 percent from Yorkshire County Cricket Club for around GBP 100 million. Sunrisers CEO Kavya Maran was present at the auction and handled the bidding for the franchise.

The Sun Group also owns Sunrisers Eastern Cape in SA20, although their squad in that league currently does not include any Pakistan player.

Abrar was the second Pakistan cricketer to be sold in the auction. Earlier, fellow mystery spinner Usman Tariq was picked by Birmingham Phoenix for GBP 140,000 (around Rs 1.72 crore).

However, Birmingham Phoenix does not have any ownership links with the IPL. Meanwhile Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf and off-spin all-rounder Saim Ayub went unsold in the auction.

The new season of The Hundred will be played from July 21 to August 16.

Abrar Ahmed’s rise as a mystery spinner

Abrar Ahmed meanwhile has grown into one of Pakistan’s most exciting spin bowlers in recent years. The right-arm mystery spinner is known for his slightly unorthodox wrist-spin action and clever variations.

He often attacks batters in the middle overs and has the ability to break partnerships. That wicket-taking instinct is exactly what Sunrisers Leeds will be hoping he brings to their bowling attack in the tournament.