Almost the entire core of Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad has thrown its hat into the ring for the upcoming player auction of The Hundred, scheduled to take place in London on March 11 and 12. The list includes captain Salman Ali Agha, pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi, explosive opener Saim Ayub, and all-round option Usman Tariq, among many others. In total, 63 Pakistani players are part of a massive 710-player auction pool featuring domestic and international talent from nearly every cricket-playing nation, except India.
However, despite the strong Pakistani presence on paper, uncertainty surrounds how many will actually secure contracts. Reports in the English media suggest that more than half of the eight franchises may refrain from bidding on Pakistani players, primarily due to ownership structures and geopolitical considerations.
Indian-Linked Franchises Under Scrutiny
Six of the eight franchises participating in The Hundred have ownership groups with Indian connections. These include London Spirit, MI Oval, Manchester SuperGiants, Southern Brave, SunRisers Leeds, and Welsh Fire. Several of these owners also operate franchises in the Indian Premier League.
Historically, Indian-owned teams across global T20 leagues — including SA20 in South Africa and ILT20 in the UAE — have avoided signing Pakistani players. The pattern is widely viewed as an extension of diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan, which have also prevented bilateral cricketing ties for over a decade.
According to a BBC report citing franchise sources, Pakistani cricketers are unlikely to be considered by Indian-owned sides for this auction as well. That said, a few franchises have reportedly maintained a neutral stance, emphasizing that squad strength and competitive balance will guide their strategy rather than politics.
Lessons From Last Season
The numbers from the previous edition reflect this cautious approach. Only two Pakistani players — Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Wasim — featured in the men’s competition, representing the Northern Superchargers. Left-arm spinner Zafar Gohar was part of the Oval Invincibles squad.
Given this limited participation last season, expectations are tempered despite the high-profile names in the auction pool this time.
High-Profile Registrations and Base Prices
Among the marquee Pakistani entrants are all-rounder Shadab Khan, express pacer Haris Rauf, spinner Abrar Ahmed, and young quick Naseem Shah. Several of these players have set a base price of GBP 100,000, placing them among the higher salary brackets.
Others, including Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf, and Abbas Afridi, have registered at lower base prices, potentially making them attractive budget options. Salman Ali Agha’s floor price stands at GBP 75,000, reflecting his growing stature as a T20 leader.
The global appeal of the auction is further underscored by the presence of international stars such as Jonny Bairstow, Trent Boult, Quinton de Kock, Wanindu Hasaranga, David Miller, and Moeen Ali, among others.
ALSO READ-Maharaj to Lead Young Proteas in NZ T20I Series
Squad Composition and Financial Structure
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), which owns and operates The Hundred, has outlined clear squad-building parameters. Each men’s team must assemble a squad of 16–18 players, while women’s teams will consist of 15 players.
The salary cap for the men’s competition stands at GBP 2.05 million per team for the season. In a significant development for women’s cricket, the salary pot for the women’s competition will double to GBP 880,000 per team starting from 2026 — a 100% increase aimed at enhancing competitiveness and player remuneration.
Teams are permitted up to four pre-auction signings between mid-November and the end of January. Of these, a maximum of three can be direct signings (restricted to overseas or England centrally contracted players), while at least one must be a retention.
Pre-auction deductions from the salary cap vary based on the number of signings. For the men’s competition, deductions range from GBP 350,000 for one signing to GBP 950,000 for four signings. These mechanisms closely resemble the retention and auction dynamics of the IPL, reinforcing The Hundred’s alignment with established franchise-league models.
Scheduling Complications
Another variable that could influence franchise decisions is Pakistan’s international calendar. According to the International Cricket Council Future Tours Programme, Pakistan are scheduled to tour the West Indies for a Test series in August. Overlapping commitments could affect player availability, potentially discouraging teams from investing heavily in Pakistani stars if continuity becomes uncertain.
A Test of Market Dynamics
Ultimately, the upcoming auction will serve as a litmus test for how cricketing merit intersects with ownership dynamics and geopolitics. On pure skill metrics, several Pakistani players rank among the world’s most impactful T20 performers. Yet franchise leagues operate within broader commercial and diplomatic frameworks that often shape recruitment strategies.
For Pakistani cricketers, participation in The Hundred represents both opportunity and challenge — a chance to expand their global footprint, but also a reminder of the structural realities influencing modern franchise cricket. When the gavel falls in London next month, the final tally of successful Pakistani bids will reveal whether competitive ambition outweighs off-field complexities.