Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has strongly criticized the decision by Sunrisers Leeds to sign Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed during the recent The Hundred Draft.
Gavaskar argued that paying Pakistani players could indirectly support activities harmful to India. His remarks quickly became one of the most prominent reactions to the signing.
Controversy Around the Signing
Sunrisers Leeds secured Abrar Ahmed during the auction for The Hundred, a franchise cricket tournament in England.
The franchise belongs to the Sun Group, which also owns Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League.
Since 2009, IPL teams have not signed Pakistani players due to political tensions between India and Pakistan.
Because of this long-standing restriction, the decision to recruit Abrar Ahmed in The Hundred generated significant discussion among fans and analysts.
Gavaskar’s Strong Reaction
Writing in a column for the Indian newspaper Mid-Day, Gavaskar expressed concern over the move.
He said the reaction from fans was expected given the history between the two countries. Gavaskar also mentioned the long-standing boycott of Pakistani players in the IPL that began after the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
According to him, some Indian franchise owners now avoid hiring Pakistani athletes because the payments eventually go through taxes to the Pakistani government.
His remarks sparked debate across the cricket community and on social media platforms.
Political Tensions Affecting Cricket
Relations between India and Pakistan continue to influence sporting connections.
The two nations last played a bilateral cricket series in 2007. Since then, both teams have avoided touring each other’s countries.
Political tensions increased further after a military confrontation in 2025 following a militant attack in the region of Kashmir.
Because of these tensions, the teams rarely meet outside global tournaments and often maintain limited interactions during matches.
Mixed Reaction From Fans
After the signing announcement, many fans voiced their opinions online. Some criticized the franchise, while others supported the decision to separate sport from politics.
At one point, the official social media account of Sunrisers Leeds experienced a temporary suspension. However, reports suggest the issue resulted from a technical problem rather than the backlash.
Privately, several figures within Indian cricket believe the controversy will fade as the new season of the Indian Premier League begins.
Debate Over Sports and Politics
The incident highlights how political tensions can influence international sport. Cricket often reflects the broader relationship between India and Pakistan.
For now, the signing of Abrar Ahmed continues to spark discussion among fans, analysts, and former players.
Whether the controversy affects future decisions in international franchise cricket remains uncertain.
