The Sunrisers Leeds (SRL) signed Pakistan mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed at the Hundred 2026 auction. A regular signing of players in The Hundred usually attracts no backlash, but not in the SRL’s case.
SRL coach Daniel Vettori had to clear the air after this purchase, explaining why the franchise decided to secure Ahmed’s services instead. SRL added Ahmed to their 2026 squad with a US$ 255,000 offer accepted, as he became Pakistan’s first-ever player bought by an Indian-owned franchise in The Hundred history.
Coach Vettori Explains Reason Behind Abrar Ahmed Signing
Criticism trailed SRL’s decision, but Coach Vettori attempted to explain reasons behind the franchise’s decision:
“Once we missed out on Adil Rashid, who was a priority early on, then we obviously jumped into the overseas spinner market. There were four or five guys we were looking at, and Abrar was one of them. Very pleased to get him,” the SRL coach told reporters during a press meet.
“We just planned for everyone who was at the auction. There wasn’t a discussion about not picking Pakistan players. It was simply about who was the best option available,” coach Vettori added.
Vettori says why SRL fancy Abrar
Coach Vettori believes Abrar Ahmed possesses the right mix of tricky gameplay and precision SRL need for The Hundred 2026:
“It’s a bit of a mystery. Many English players haven’t seen him much. He recently played against Australia and the feedback from their players was that he’s tricky to face, with a lot of variations and the ability to strike in the power-play and through the middle overs,” the coach said.
“Spinners have been the ones who succeed there. Having someone like Abrar could make a big difference for us,” he added.
Why are IPL Fans Concerned About a Player Purchase in England?
SRL is an affiliate of Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), and local fans expect no Pakistani players in any roster involving IPL-linked sides. Signing Abrar Ahmed caused a furore on social media in India as fans faulted the purchase immediately after its announcement.
Controversy Surrounding Abrar Ahmed Signing Not Surprising, Gavaskar Says
Gavaskar continued by saying Abrar’s signing led to an expected response from Indian cricket fans:
“The furore created by the acquisition of a Pakistani player by the Indian owner of a franchise in The Hundred is hardly surprising. Ever since the Mumbai attacks in November 2008, Indian franchise owners have simply ignored Pakistani players for the IPL,” the cricketer added.
Fees Paid to PAK Players Contributes to Indian Deaths, Gavaskar Alleges
Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar faulted the signing of Abrar Ahmed immediately after it became public. Gavaskar says the Sunrisers Leeds should not have made a move for Ahmed based on his nationality. The legendary skipper and pundit says payments to Pakistani players aid attacks against Indian civilians and citizens:
“Although belated, the realisation that the fees that they pay to a Pakistani player, who then pays income tax to his government which buys arms and weapons, indirectly contributes to the deaths of Indian soldiers and civilians is making Indian entities refrain from even considering having Pakistani artistes and sportspersons. Whether it is an Indian entity or an overseas subsidiary of the entity that is making the payment, if the owner is Indian then he or she is contributing to the Indian casualties. It’s as simple as that,” Mr. Gavaskar added.
Vettori “May Not Understand”, Gavaskar Says Regarding PAK Player’s Signing
Gavaskar says coach Vettori may not know about the dynamics of such events surrounding a Pakistani player’s signing by an Indian-owned franchise abroad:
“Daniel Vettori, the coach of the team in The Hundred who hails from New Zealand, may not understand this simple dynamic and so may have wanted some Pakistani players in his team, but surely the owner should have had an understanding of the situation and discouraged the purchase. Is winning a tournament in a format that no other country plays in much more important than Indian lives?”, the veteran cricketer and commentator quipped.
Gavaskar Expects Protests at All Sunrisers Leeds Games Involving Abrar Ahmed
Mr. Gavaskar expects protests by Indian fans at all SRL games this season, due to Abrar’s signing:
“It won’t be a surprise that for every game that this team plays, whether at home or away there will be massive demonstrations by Indian fans protesting at this hard-to-believe buying. In fact, it won’t be a surprise that despite having some of the most attractive stroke makers in their team the crowds may stay away and show their disapproval of the decision. There’s still time to undo the wrong and hopefully wiser counsels will prevail,” he concluded.
