Shaheen Afridi Withdraws, Haris Rauf Unsold as Pakistani Cricketers Miss Out in The Hundred Draft
The latest player draft for The Hundred resulted in a disappointing outcome for Pakistani cricketers across both the men’s and women’s categories. Fast bowler Haris Rauf went unsold, while white-ball captain Shaheen Shah Afridi withdrew from the draft pool shortly before proceedings began.
Late Withdrawals Impact Franchise Strategy
Afridi was originally listed in the top bracket for fast bowlers and previously represented Welsh Fire. However, he was among five prominent overseas players who pulled out of the draft at the last minute. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed the withdrawals, which forced franchises to adjust their bidding strategies.
According to reports from ESPNcricinfo, the late changes were primarily driven by scheduling conflicts with the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and ongoing international bilateral series.
| Player | Country | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Shaheen Shah Afridi | Pakistan | Withdrawn |
| Quinton de Kock | South Africa | Withdrawn |
| Sunil Narine | West Indies | Withdrawn |
| AM Ghazanfar | Afghanistan | Withdrawn |
| Peter Siddle | Australia | Withdrawn |
Despite Afridi’s absence, 13 Pakistani players remained available in the men’s draft pool. Franchises opted for players with full tournament availability, leaving high-profile names like Rauf without a contract. The ECB and the eight franchises released a joint statement confirming that selections strictly prioritized “performance, availability, and the needs of each team” over nationality.
Pakistani Women Miss Out on Contracts
The situation mirrored the women’s draft held a day prior, where no Pakistani players managed to secure a deal. Franchise management heavily weighed the overlapping international calendar mandated by the International Cricket Council, leading to a shutout of the Pakistani women’s contingent.
The following players entered the draft with a base price of £15,000 but received no bids:
- Muneeba Ali: Left-handed batter
- Diana Baig: Right-arm fast bowler
- Sadia Iqbal: Left-arm orthodox spinner
- Fatima Sana: National team captain and all-rounder
Availability Dictates Market Value
The heavy reduction of Pakistani representation in The Hundred highlights an ongoing trend in franchise cricket. As global short-format leagues proliferate, international boards and players face heavy pressure to manage workloads. Franchises are aggressively avoiding players who cannot commit to the entire tournament window, making partial availability a significant detriment in modern cricket drafts.