The inaugural auction of ‘The Hundred’ in London has ignited a firestorm of controversy. Sunrisers Leeds, an entity owned by the IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad, acquired Pakistani spinner Abrar Ahmed for ₹2.34 crore. Since Pakistani players have been excluded from the IPL since 2008 due to geopolitical tensions, this move has drawn fierce criticism from Indian fans, leading to calls for a boycott of the franchise.

The backlash was so intense that the franchise’s social media account was suspended. Critics are questioning the decision, citing Abrar’s controversial gestures toward Shubman Gill during the Champions Trophy. Netizens are demanding answers as to why a franchise with Indian roots would invest in a player who has been at the center of recent sporting disputes.

It is worth noting that four teams in ‘The Hundred’ are owned by IPL franchises. While the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) directed teams to prioritize cricketing skill over other factors—leading to 13 Pakistani players being listed in the auction—this decision has clearly collided with sentiments surrounding recent international cricket tensions, including the Mustafizur Rahman case and the T20 World Cup boycotts. The situation remains volatile as fans continue to express their disapproval.