East England captain michael vaughan has found itself at the center of a heated online debate after calling England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) To intervene amid reports that IPL-owned franchises may exclude Pakistani players from the auction hundred 2026.
The controversy has reignited conversations around franchise ownership, political tensions and the broader question of whether cricket can truly remain untouched by geopolitics. While Vaughan based his appeal on the side of inclusivity, a section of fans were quick to focus on England’s own playing decisions in recent years.
Michael Vaughan seeks ECB intervention after reports of IPL-owned franchises excluding Pakistani players from The Hundred 2026
The debate began when reports suggested the franchise was linked to Indian Premier League The ownership group may not pursue Pakistan players in the upcoming auction for The Hundred 2026. Although no official policy has been announced, the speculation was enough to spark a strong reaction on social media.
Vaughan on Twitter (formerly Twitter) urged the ECB to intervene and stop any such move.
“The ECB needs to act swiftly on this. They own the league and this should not be allowed to happen. The most inclusive sport in the country is not one that allows this to happen.” Vaughan wrote.
The ECB needs to act fast on this.. They own the league and this should not be allowed to happen.. The most inclusive game in the country is not one that allows this to happen.. https://t.co/IYysTSIYHt
– Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) 20 February 2026
Also read: This is why half of The Hundred teams can avoid signing Pakistani players in 2026
Fans accuse Vaughn of double standards
However, Vaughan’s comments did not go down well with a large section of fans. Many accused the former captain of ignoring England’s own precedents when it comes to geopolitical decisions in the game.
Several users pointed out that Britain had banned Russian and Belarusian athletes from sporting events following the Russia–Ukraine conflict. In tennis, Russian and Belarusian players were barred from competing in UK competitions in 2022 – a move that attracted global attention at the time.
Others cited England’s long-standing reluctance to visit Zimbabwe during the reign of former President Robert Mugabe. England had blocked tours to Zimbabwe for years, citing political pressure, human rights concerns and security risks. For many critics, these examples undermined Vaughan’s argument that sport in England has always been above politics.
Another strand of criticism focused on the ECB’s decision to open up The Hundred’s franchise stake to Indian Premier League investors. Fans questioned whether it was contradictory to invite privately owned groups and then expect them not to act according to their own strategic or political views.
Here’s how fans reacted:
The most “inclusive” board in the history of cricket (ECB) has not been able to play Zimbabwe for the last 2 decades yet!! https://t.co/ngZKtP8XGC
– Slogger (@kirikraja) 20 February 2026
🚨Michael Vaughan now talking about “protecting the game”?
Cricket no longer belongs to any one board. The Board of Control for Cricket in India changed the game, raised the standards and created the biggest stage in world cricket
England and Wales Cricket Board… https://t.co/Fk1IQZdOJO pic.twitter.com/jgW275RXVY
– Lokesh Logu (@lokiMSD93) 20 February 2026
Why are Russian players banned in UK sports?… I have said many times that these people are jealous of us and will go to any extent to support a rogue nation that promotes terrorism.
And this is where BCCI and the government failed miserably https://t.co/JeQD388pEu– @SA_SRK (@Srk_sa007) 21 February 2026
How long has the IOC banned Russia for now? https://t.co/g10SZDsjMA
– Ujjwal Sinha (@ujjwal1976) 20 February 2026
Russian athletes can be banned but a country like Pakistan which is a haven for terrorists is getting sympathy?
How many more innocent lives do they have to lose before the country takes accountability for all the nonsense they do? https://t.co/wbF1MHzkfE– Karen Noronha 🇮🇳 ⊙⊝⊜ (@Karen_noronha09) 20 February 2026
Maybe then you run the league yourself and not go to Indian investors? https://t.co/YUWmTKKdjD
-Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurbh) 20 February 2026
The ECB has every right to say, “We don’t need money to run the franchise”. By the way, is there any official communication saying this…each franchise has the right to choose its own team…dear Michael grow up now…when you are playing with Zim? https://t.co/CYPDAN7Tii
– Anand Bellad (@anandbellad) 21 February 2026
This is business why would non-performing Pakistani players be included?? Why is ECB not giving NOC to PSL?? https://t.co/c2UBvPGqhR
– Ravi Singh (@ravimay25) 20 February 2026
Surprised by the resentment by Indian franchises for not selecting Pakistani players.
Franchise cricket runs on private capital – not donations. Investors invest large sums of money and make decisions based on business interests, not moral discourses.
If that’s so unfair, here’s an idea: bring… https://t.co/mRH9qQ4iI8
– The Nightwatchman (@SoyalSayyad) 20 February 2026
I like it when India-Pak talk bothers English. https://t.co/87NMmQBfQD
– Neil (@hypocrite_nri) 20 February 2026
There was a time when the winds of power flowed from Britain towards India; Now the tables have turned and Indian voices are resonating with strength in Britain. https://t.co/GIGJjCzA7x pic.twitter.com/xzPHSmWdmx
-Tarun🏏 (@Tarun113344) 20 February 2026
Buy your own team and then bring in all the Pakistani players to please your unwanted commentary.
The owners have put up their own risk capital to purchase the team and have complete freedom to purchase any player they want to represent their team. https://t.co/eWJMgTdSTB
– Ajay Kumar Root (@akrout81) 20 February 2026