Players from Pakistan have not featured in the Indian Premier League since 2009 due to ongoing diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan.
Now, similar concerns appear to have surfaced in The Hundred, where four of the eight franchises, Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave and Sunrisers Leeds are partially owned by companies that control IPL teams.
In messages seen by BBC Sport, a senior official from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) suggested to an agent that interest in Pakistan players would likely come only from teams not linked to the IPL.
Another agent described the situation as “an unwritten rule” across T20 leagues with Indian investment.
Last year, ECB chief executive Richard Gould stated he expected “players from all nations to be selected for all teams” in The Hundred and emphasised that “clear anti-discrimination policies” were in place.
While three of the four ownership groups have not responded to requests for comment, James Sheridan, deputy chair of Manchester Super Giants, told BBC Sport: “The only conversations we've had is to pick the two best squads to give us the best possible chance of winning the two competitions.”
An ECB spokesperson reiterated the tournament’s inclusive stance, saying: “The Hundred welcomes men's and women's players from all over the world and we would expect the eight teams to reflect that.
“Almost 1,000 cricketers from 18 nations have registered for The Hundred auction, with representation on the longlist of over 50 players respectively from Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Pakistan and West Indies.”
The situation has once again highlighted the broader impact of geopolitical tensions on global franchise cricket.
