The Hundred: Pakistan Players Excluded, Ben Stokes Not Involved
In a recent development, a senior official from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has indicated that interest in Pakistani players for The Hundred auction will be limited to sides not linked to the IPL. This decision comes as a result of ongoing diplomatic tensions between Pakistan and India, which have prevented Pakistani players from participating in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2009.
The Hundred, an exciting new cricket tournament, has seen a surge in interest with almost 1,000 cricketers from 18 nations signing up for the auction. However, the inclusion of Pakistani players has been a point of contention. With four of The Hundred's franchises now partially owned by companies controlling IPL teams, the ECB's stance on Pakistani players is understandable.
The men's list includes notable English players like Joe Root, Adil Rashid, Jonny Bairstow, and Jordan Cox, who were not retained by their respective franchises. Ben Stokes, a key player, has not participated in the competition since 2024, choosing to manage his workload. Mark Wood and James Anderson, both veteran bowlers, are also absent from the list.
Among the overseas names, South Africa's Quinton de Kock, David Miller, and Aiden Markram, along with West Indies' Jason Holder, Sherfane Rutherford, and Shimron Hetmyer, have been included. Pakistan's Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, and Naseem Shah have registered at the highest men's reserve price of Β£100,000, alongside mystery spinner Usman Tariq.
Squads for The Hundred will consist of 16 to 18 players, with a salary cap and a minimum spending requirement. The men's competition salary pot has increased by 45% to Β£2.05m per side, while the women's teams' fund has doubled to Β£880,000. England internationals Em Arlott, Amy Jones, Danielle Gibson, Sarah Glenn, and Linsey Smith are among the women's players drafted at the Β£50,000 reserve price.
Davina Perrin, who scored a century at 18 in the previous eliminator, has set her reserve price at Β£37,500. South Africa's Nadine de Klerk, New Zealand's Sophie Devine, Australia's Beth Mooney, and India's Richa Ghosh are in the highest bracket. Notably, India captain Harmanpreet Kaur is absent, and there are no Indian players on the men's list.
Despite the current restrictions on Indian players, ECB chairman Richard Thompson believes it's only a matter of time before they participate in The Hundred. The tournament's unique format and global appeal make it an exciting prospect for cricket fans worldwide.
