Former England captain Michael Vaughan has called on the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to safeguard inclusivity in The Hundred following reports that franchises linked to Indian Premier League (IPL) owners may avoid signing Pakistani cricketers in the upcoming auction.
Taking to social media, Vaughan stressed that the ECB, as the governing body and owner of the competition, must act decisively to prevent any form of exclusion. He emphasised that English cricket prides itself on inclusivity and that player selection should not be influenced by off-field political tensions.
The issue arises amid claims that franchises partially owned by IPL entities may not consider Pakistani players during the March auction. Four teams in The Hundred reportedly have ownership connections to IPL groups, prompting concerns about potential conflicts of interest in recruitment decisions.
The situation reflects a broader pattern seen in other IPL-affiliated tournaments. Pakistani players have not featured in South Africa’s SA20 since its inception in 2023, where all six franchises are owned by IPL-linked companies. Similarly, in the UAE’s ILT20, certain teams under IPL-associated ownership have reportedly refrained from signing Pakistani cricketers over multiple seasons.
Historically, The Hundred has included several Pakistani players. Cricketers such as Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf have participated in previous editions. However, no Pakistani women’s player has yet appeared in the competition.
ECB chief executive Richard Gould previously stated that players from all nations should be eligible for selection, highlighting the tournament’s anti-discrimination policies. The upcoming season also features increased player salaries, raising the stakes for those potentially missing out on contracts.
As debate intensifies, the ECB has yet to formally respond to Vaughan’s appeal. The matter underscores the growing intersection of global politics and franchise cricket, with stakeholders watching closely to see how English cricket authorities address the concerns.
Originally published on 24×7-news.com.
