No Pakistani Cricketers Picked in The Hundred 2025 Draft After Indian Investment

This year, zero Pakistani cricketers were chosen in The Hundred draft, a big change from previous years. This happened after Indian Premier League owners bought parts of the teams.
By Newsroom | Sports, Cricket |

Tension Surrounds Player Selection in The Hundred Draft

The recent draft for The Hundred, England's 100-ball cricket competition, saw no Pakistani cricketers selected. This development follows the acquisition of stakes in the league's franchises by Indian Premier League (IPL) owners. While the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has stated that this investment will not prevent Pakistani players from participating, the absence of any Pakistani players in the draft has raised questions about the real influences at play. The stakes are high, as this situation impacts player opportunities and the perception of fairness within the sport.

Indian-owned Hundred teams 'not considering Pakistan players' - 1

Background: A Shifting Landscape for The Hundred

The Hundred, established in 2021, operates as a unique 100-ball format. Recently, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) sold stakes in its eight franchises to private entities, a significant portion of which are owned by IPL franchises. This transition occurred shortly before the draft for the 2025 season.

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Indian-owned Hundred teams 'not considering Pakistan players' - 2

  • Timeline: The sales of stakes in The Hundred franchises to IPL owners took place in the period leading up to March 2025. The draft for the 2025 season occurred on March 13, 2025.

  • Key Actors:

  • ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board): The governing body for cricket in England and Wales, responsible for The Hundred.

  • IPL Franchise Owners: Entities associated with the Indian Premier League who have acquired stakes in The Hundred teams.

  • Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB): The governing body for cricket in Pakistan.

  • Pakistani Cricketers: Players from Pakistan registered for the draft.

  • Events:

  • Stakes in The Hundred franchises were sold to private entities, including IPL franchises.

  • 45 male Pakistani cricketers and five female Pakistani cricketers registered for the 2025 draft.

  • None of the registered Pakistani players were selected in the draft.

Evidence of Exclusion

Multiple reports confirm the complete absence of Pakistani players from the 2025 Hundred draft.

Indian-owned Hundred teams 'not considering Pakistan players' - 3

  • Draft Results: On March 13, 2025, no Pakistani players were picked in the draft. This applied to both men's and women's competitions. Approximately 50 Pakistani cricketers registered for the draft.

  • High-Profile Omissions: Prominent Pakistani players such as Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, and Shadab Khan, who were in higher price brackets, did not attract any bids.

  • Historical Context: While Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim participated in previous seasons, their participation was before the recent sale of stakes to new investors. There have been instances of Pakistani players withdrawing at the last moment in the past due to No Objection Certificate (NOC) issues from the PCB.

Analyzing the Factors: Ownership and Player Availability

The exclusion of Pakistani players from The Hundred draft has led to a focus on two primary areas: the influence of new Indian ownership and the practicalities of player availability due to international commitments.

Indian-owned Hundred teams 'not considering Pakistan players' - 4

The Shadow of Indian Ownership

The acquisition of stakes in The Hundred franchises by IPL owners has been highlighted as a potential factor influencing selection decisions.

  • Direct Link: Reports suggest a pattern connecting IPL owners and the absence of Pakistani players. Half of the new investors in The Hundred are IPL owners.

  • Official Reassurance: ECB Chief Executive Richard Gould has stated that the links with IPL owners are not expected to affect Pakistan player involvement. He indicated that the ECB does not anticipate issues with Pakistani players participating.

  • Counterpoint: Despite these assurances, the timing of the IPL ownership acquisitions preceding the draft, and the subsequent complete exclusion of Pakistani players, has led to speculation about their influence. Some franchises point to Pakistan players having international commitments in August, which clash with The Hundred.

Player Availability and PCB's Role

The issue of player availability and the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) stance on issuing No Objection Certificates (NOCs) has been cited as another reason for Pakistani players' absence.

  • International Commitments: Franchises have pointed out that Pakistani players have international duties in August, which directly conflicts with The Hundred's schedule.

  • NOC Challenges: The PCB has, in the past, withdrawn NOCs at short notice. One report mentions Naseem Shah having an NOC withdrawn shortly before an event last year.

  • Comparison with Other Boards: Boards from Australia, New Zealand, England, and South Africa are generally seen as more accommodating in issuing NOCs.

  • Player Decisions: Last year, Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim retired from international cricket to pursue opportunities in T20 leagues. This suggests individual player choices can also impact their availability.

Expert Perspectives on the Situation

While definitive statements on motive are unavailable, analysts and officials have offered viewpoints on the unfolding situation.

"Despite the fact IPL owners make up half of the new investors in the Hundred, the ECB does not expect India's male cricketers to be made available for the tournament, nor does it anticipate issues with players from Pakistan taking part in England's flagship competition." - Reported sentiment from ECB hierarchy.

"Players from Pakistan will continue playing in the England and Wales Cricket Board's flagship tournament, The Hundred, despite investment from Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises." - ECB Confirmation.

"One potential reason cited for this lack of interest in Pakistani players is the involvement of Indian Premier League (IPL) owners in the Hundred teams." - Analysis from The Times of India.

Findings and Implications

The complete absence of Pakistani cricketers from The Hundred 2025 draft, following significant investment from IPL owners, presents a complex scenario.

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  • Core Finding: No Pakistani players were selected in the 2025 Hundred draft, a notable deviation from previous seasons where Pakistani internationals participated.

  • Conflicting Narratives: The ECB maintains that the new ownership structure will not hinder Pakistani player participation. However, reports indicate a strong correlation between IPL ownership and the exclusion of Pakistani talent.

  • Contributing Factors: Potential reasons cited include:

  • The influence of IPL-owned franchises.

  • International scheduling conflicts for Pakistani players.

  • Past instances of the PCB withdrawing NOCs.

  • Unanswered Questions: The precise degree to which IPL ownership influenced selection decisions remains unclear. Was this a coordinated decision, or a series of independent choices by franchises operating under new ownership?

  • Implications: This situation raises questions about fairness in player selection and the potential impact of geopolitical relationships on sporting leagues. It also affects the career opportunities for Pakistani cricketers seeking to play in this prominent T20 tournament.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why were no Pakistani cricketers selected for The Hundred 2025 draft?
On March 13, 2025, none of the 50 Pakistani players who registered for The Hundred draft were chosen by any of the teams. This happened after Indian Premier League (IPL) owners bought stakes in some of the teams.
Q: Did the new Indian owners stop Pakistani players from being picked?
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said that the new investment from IPL owners will not stop Pakistani players from playing. However, some reports suggest that the new owners might have influenced the choices.
Q: Were there other reasons why Pakistani players were not selected?
Yes, some teams said that Pakistani players have international games in August, which is when The Hundred takes place. Also, in the past, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has sometimes cancelled permission for players to play in other leagues.
Q: Which Pakistani players were not picked in The Hundred draft?
Famous players like Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, and Shadab Khan, who were expected to be picked, did not get any bids. This was a surprise because Pakistani players have played in The Hundred before.