Backlash Hits Kavya Maran, Sunrisers Leeds After Abrar Ahmed Signing In The Hundred Auction

Kavya Maran and the Sunrisers franchise have come under scrutiny after signing Abrar Ahmed at the Hundred 2026 auction, with fans criticising the move on social media.

IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad and its owner Kavya Maran have found themselves in the midst of controversy after signing all-rounder Abrar Ahmed for Sunrisers Leeds in The Hundred 2026.

The Hundred is England’s franchise-based T20 competition, and some of its teams operate as sister franchises of Indian Premier League sides.

Pakistan players are banned from competing in the IPL, and there were reports that India-owned franchises in The Hundred could opt against going for Pakistan in its auction as well, but it didn’t exactly turn out to be the case.

At the Hundred men’s player auction, owner Kavya Maran was seen sitting at the table alongside head coach Daniel Vettori. Ahead of the auction, there was heavy scrutiny over whether the four Indian-owned teams in the Hundred would bid for Pakistani players amid reports of a potential shadow ban.

Just hours after the franchise got Abrar on board, the official X account of Sunrisers Leeds has also been suspended. Abrar Ahmed had previously drawn criticism for certain social media posts that appeared to be mocking the Indian armed forces.

One of the most widely discussed instances occurred during Operation Sindoor, a military operation launched by India in response to the terrorist attack in Pahalgam in February 2025.

The Indian media Conglomerate had taken over the Leeds franchise in the Hundred, formerly known as Northern Superchargers, last year, buying a 49 per cent stake from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the remaining 51 per cent from Yorkshire.

Abrar was the second Pakistan player to be sold in the men’s auction after spinner Usman Tariq, who was bought for USD 187,000 by Birmingham Phoenix.

Several Pakistan players have previously played for T20 teams owned by IPL franchises worldwide, but no international players have featured in the IPL since 2008 due to geopolitical tensions between the two countries.