A total of 67 Pakistani players have officially registered for the upcoming The Hundred auction scheduled for 11 and 12 March. However, England Test captain Ben Stokes has not entered his name for this year’s draft.
Sources speaking to BBC Sport suggest that Pakistani players may not be considered by the four Indian-owned franchises participating in The Hundred. This development has sparked debate within the cricketing community.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan urged the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to respond swiftly. He stated that excluding players based on nationality should not be permitted in a tournament that promotes inclusivity. According to Vaughan, cricket in England prides itself on being one of the most inclusive sports, and such actions could damage that reputation.
Among the prominent Pakistani players registered are fast bowlers Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, both of whom have previously featured in The Hundred. In total, 63 male players from Pakistan are part of the draft pool.
In the women’s category, Muneeba Ali, Sadia Iqbal, Diana Baig, and Fatima Sana have also registered for the competition.
The Hundred continues to attract global attention, but questions surrounding player selection policies may shape discussions ahead of the auction.
