Harry Brook Warns Excluding Pakistani Players Could Damage The Hundred in England

England’s limited-overs captain, Harry Brook, has expressed concern over the possibility that Pakistani cricketers might miss out on this year’s The Hundred tournament.

Speaking ahead of England’s Super 8 match against Sri Lanka, Brook called it “a shame” if talented players from Pakistan were sidelined.

Brook, 26, is no stranger to The Hundred spotlight.

He will feature for the Sunrisers Leeds (formerly Northern Superchargers) as their highest-paid player, with a staggering £465,000 contract.

While he has captained the team in previous seasons, Brook confirmed he will step back from captaincy this year to focus on international duties, particularly the upcoming T20 World Cup.

“My main focus at the minute is to play the T20 World Cup,” Brook said.

“That part of The Hundred is above me and whatever they decide to do is up to them.

Pakistan have been a great cricket nation for many years with some of the best players in the world.

It would be a shame not to see some of them in The Hundred.”

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Pakistan Players Face Roadblocks in IPL-Linked Franchises

The controversy centers on ownership structures.

Sources indicate that the four IPL-linked franchises in The Hundred—Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave, and Sunrisers Leeds—are not considering Pakistani players in the upcoming auction, set for 11–12 March.

A senior ECB official reportedly informed an agent that these franchises would show limited interest in Pakistani cricketers.

This aligns with a long-standing trend: Pakistani players have been absent from the Indian Premier League since 2009, due to diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan criticized the potential exclusion, emphasizing that omitting players based on nationality “should not be allowed to happen” and urging the ECB to intervene.

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Pakistani Talent Already Registered for Auction

Despite potential obstacles, Pakistani players are stepping up.

Sixty-three male and four female cricketers from Pakistan have registered for The Hundred auction.

The ECB highlighted that the tournament’s player pool is global, with nearly 1,000 cricketers from 18 countries on the longlist, including Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Pakistan, and the West Indies.

The franchises without IPL ties—Birmingham Phoenix, London Spirit, Trent Rockets, and Welsh Fire—remain options where Pakistani players could secure contracts, keeping the door open for international talent to participate.

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Franchise Trends Beyond England

The Hundred’s predicament mirrors other franchise leagues.

In South Africa’s SA20, which launched in 2023, none of the six IPL-owned teams signed Pakistani players.

Similarly, in the ILT20 in the UAE, IPL-linked franchises like MI London and Southern Brave have consistently avoided Pakistani talent, while teams with other ownership, such as the Desert Vipers, have signed multiple Pakistan players across four seasons.

These patterns highlight how geopolitics and franchise ownership can influence player selection, leaving some of the world’s top talent sidelined despite their skills.

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What’s Next?

The upcoming auction on 11–12 March will reveal whether Pakistani players secure spots in IPL-linked franchises or only with independently owned teams.

With international fans and players watching closely, the ECB may face pressure to ensure The Hundred truly reflects global talent.

For Brook, his role is clear: focus on representing England and leave franchise selection matters to team management.

Meanwhile, the cricketing community awaits clarity on whether some of Pakistan’s best will get the opportunity to showcase their skills on this high-profile platform.

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Summary

England captain Harry Brook has criticized the potential exclusion of Pakistani players from The Hundred, calling it “a shame.”

While he will play for Sunrisers Leeds as the tournament’s highest-paid player, Brook will step down from captaincy to focus on the T20 World Cup.

The controversy revolves around IPL-linked franchises—Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave, and Sunrisers Leeds—who reportedly are not considering Pakistani players, reflecting trends in leagues like IPL, SA20, and ILT20.

Pakistani players have, however, signed up for the auction, keeping hope alive with non-IPL-affiliated teams.

The cricket world now watches how the upcoming auction and ECB actions will shape international participation in the tournament.