For the upcoming The Hundred tournament, Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed has been selected by a team backed by an Indian owner. Sunrisers Leeds have signed the Pakistani spin magician for the upcoming season of the English Franchise Cricket League.
Sunrisers Leeds, backed by Indian Premier League franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad, took a plunge on Abrar Ahmed in the player auction on Thursday. At a cost of £190,000, the franchise secured the services of the spinner, who is nicknamed ‘Harry Potter’.
Controversies continued before the auction
Before the auction there were rumors that the Indian owners of The Hundred franchise were not interested in any Pakistani cricketer. Proving all the previous speculations wrong, Kavya Maran’s team has made headlines by signing Ahmed.
It was believed that the English franchises, backed by Indian owners, had tried to drive Pakistani cricketers out of the league. During the controversial situation, former cricketers like Moeen Ali and Michael Vaughan urged the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to ensure that cricketers from every country get equal treatment in the league.
A joint statement issued by the franchises and the ECB later confirmed that players from all countries can take part in the player auction.
Earlier, another Pakistan international spinner, Usman Tariq, who is mainly known for his controversial bowling action, became the first Pakistan player to be sold in the auction. Birmingham Phoenix showed confidence in Usman Tariq.
Abrar Ahmed is making headlines because Sunrisers have invested in him
Abrar Ahmed remained in the headlines more than Usman Tariq because Sunrisers had placed bets on him. Due to his experience of playing for many franchises and international cricket, this spinner can prove useful for the team.
The 27-year-old legbreak bowler has previously played in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Major League Cricket (MLC) and Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). He is set to play in The Hundred Franchise League for the first time.
Abrar Ahmed played for Pakistan cricket team in the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2026, but he did not get much success as expected. In the 2026 T20 World Cup 2026, Abrar Ahmed took only 6 wickets, including figures of 3/23, which he got during the match against Sri Lanka.
Fans got angry after Kavya Maran
Kavya Maran should be ashamed
Maybe SRH ends this IPL season for the last time– Rajvir Singh (@rajvirsayshi) 12 March 2026
Traitokavya Maranam
– Lokanand (@lokanand6) 12 March 2026
E koksxa puk gadu tea cup pose isthu insta story lu patti india ne vekkiristhadu
Shameless Sunrisers bid for this Fxckn Cunnt
Kavya Maran should be ashamed #thehundred #TheHundredAuction https://t.co/vJjJsYp0zW
– Hypocrite (@xdpqd) 12 March 2026
Shame on Kavya Maran and Sunrisers team management for bidding on Abrar Ahmed!@Sunrisers @SunrisersLeads
– Cravosa (@cravosaX) 12 March 2026
@Sunrisers Everyone should be hated for this treacherous act of Kavya Maran in this IPL season
– Rajvir Singh (@rajvirsayshi) 12 March 2026
SRH bought that terrorist Abrar Ahmed
Kaavimaran, and you will not see heaven
– Anyi (@anyrium) 12 March 2026
It’s a shame that unrisersleads @Sunrisers Being an Indian owner, he has bought a Pakistani bowler in the form of Abrar Ahmrar in his team! shameful poetry killing @SunrisersLeads #TheHundredAuction @englandcricket @ECB_Cricket
– Aman Kr (@AmanKr782021303) 12 March 2026
Shame on Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kavya Maran
– 76of59 (@finallen22) 12 March 2026
Anyone who supports SRH in the IPL now has some serious questions to answer. If Mustafizur was wrong, that’s even worse.
– Krishna Anand (@KrishnaAnand_) 12 March 2026
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