The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has responded to growing speculation that Indian-linked franchises in The Hundred may avoid selecting Pakistani players. The debate gained momentum after reports suggested that teams connected to Indian Premier League ownership groups could unofficially sideline cricketers from Pakistan during the recruitment process.
According to a Cricbuzz report, The Hundred’s CEO, Vikram Banerjee, recently sent a formal communication to all participating franchises. The note reportedly reiterated the ECB’s firm stance that player selection must remain strictly based on cricketing merit rather than nationality.
“Player selection must always be based on cricketing rationale, availability and team performance strategy/needs. No one should be denied a place in The Hundred because of their nationality, and it is within the powers of the Cricket Regulator to investigate should it receive any evidence of a team adopting a policy of excluding players based on nationality,” the letter stated, as quoted by Cricbuzz.
Banerjee further emphasised the broader vision behind the competition.
WATCH – Paras Dogra Loses Cool, Headbutts Karnataka Fielder During Heated Ranji Trophy Final Clash
“Our competition will thrive when the best available talent – domestic and international – is given the opportunity to perform, inspire, and elevate the standard of the tournament,” the communication added.
Despite this clear directive from the ECB, the actual pattern of selections over the years paints a different picture. Pakistani representation in The Hundred has remained extremely limited since the tournament’s launch.
View this post on Instagram
ECB: “No nationality bias” for The Hundred picks! 😉 But past auctions saw barely any Pak players. 🤔 “Cricketing rationale” indeed! We’re watching! #Cricket #PAKvsENG pic.twitter.com/Dxq8rwaxVR
— Blue Jersey Bulletin (@BlueBulletin45) February 24, 2026
Across several seasons, only a small number of male Pakistani players have participated. Interestingly, no Pakistani woman cricketer has featured in the tournament so far. Even during the most recent season, no Pakistani player was picked in the initial draft. Only later did Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir join squads as replacement players.
Each team in The Hundred consists of 15–16 players, with a maximum of 4 overseas cricketers. Since franchises can sign two international players directly, only two overseas spots remain available during the draft or auction.
WATCH – KL Rahul Pulls Off Brilliant Slip Catch To Dismiss Kanhaiya Wadhawan In Ranji Trophy Final
Reports have indicated that teams like Southern Brave and other IPL-linked franchises could unofficially follow their parent teams’ stance of avoiding Pakistani players due to ongoing political tensions between India and Pakistan. If this trend continues, critics believe it may raise difficult questions about inclusivity in English cricket—particularly given the large British-Pakistani community and the tournament’s ambition to broaden cricket’s reach.
