Harry Brooke speaks on the Hundred Row: Pakistan players are in trouble after reports came from England that they will not be a part of the Hundred auction in the upcoming season. BBC reports that Pakistani cricketers are not being given any attention by the Indian-owned team in the tournament.
Four of the eight franchises this season are owned by Indian businessmen. Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave and Sunrisers Leeds, who are part-owned Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises, could make a similar move as the IPL. Due to political barriers between India and Pakistan, all Pakistani players have been banned from the IPL.
I would say Pakistan has been a great cricket nation – Harry Brook
However, England Cricket Board (ECB) chief executive Richard Gould has already warned Indian owners about giving exemptions to players from Pakistan, and he also hopes that “players from all countries will be selected for all teams.” Now, England captain Harry Brook has shared his views on the ongoing rift and said that it would be a shame not to see Pakistan players in The Hundred.
Harry Brook said, “Our main focus now is on what’s going to happen in the T20 World Cup. To be honest, that’s not really our job. I would say Pakistan has been a great cricket nation for many years. I think there are around 50, 60 players in the auction and it would be a shame not to see some of them there.”
Harry Brook said, “There are some amazing cricketers there and they bring some good crowds too. It would be a shame not to see some of the Pakistan players there and make the tournament and competition even better.”
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The future of Pakistani players in franchise cricket looks bleak.
In the SA20, which is South Africa’s biggest franchise league, there are no Pakistani players involved in the tournament as all six teams in the competition are owned by Indians, who have a stake in the IPL. Pakistani players play in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), ILT20 and Major League Cricket (MLC). Since some franchises in these competitions are also owned by India-based businessmen.
If Pakistani players do not get a chance to play, it will once again create a dispute between India and Pakistan. Previously, only two Men in Green cricketers had participated in the Hundred: Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim.
Will England qualify for the last four?
England have qualified for the Super 8 stages of the competition and will face Sri Lanka in their first game on Sunday. The Three Lions will be looking to continue their good form and qualify for the semi-final stage of the tournament.
While Pakistan is set to play New Zealand in the opening match of the Super 8 matches at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Saturday. England and Pakistan are in the same group and will face each other on Tuesday 24 February.
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