SunRisers Leeds Sign Pakistan Spinner Abrar Ahmed at Hundred Auction 2026
In a major development at the Hundred Player Auction 2026, Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed was acquired by SunRisers Leeds for £190,000. The acquisition by the Kavya Maran-co-owned franchise effectively ends months of speculation suggesting that teams with Indian Premier League (IPL) ownership ties would systematically avoid signing players from Pakistan.
SunRisers Leeds outbid Trent Rockets to secure the mystery spinner, signaling a clear shift toward data-driven team building over geopolitical considerations. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the eight tournament franchises released a joint statement prior to the event, clarifying that selections are strictly based on “performance, availability, and the needs of each team.”
Pakistani Players in the 2026 Men’s Auction
Before Abrar Ahmed’s lucrative signing, Birmingham Phoenix made Usman Tariq the first Pakistani player selected in the session, securing his services for £140,000. Despite these high-profile acquisitions, several established internationals failed to attract bids.
Key Auction Outcomes for Pakistan Internationals
- Abrar Ahmed: Sold to SunRisers Leeds (£190,000)
- Usman Tariq: Sold to Birmingham Phoenix (£140,000)
- Haris Rauf: Unsold
- Shadab Khan: Unsold
- Saim Ayub: Unsold
High-Profile Withdrawals Shape the Bidding Pool
The auction dynamics shifted early Thursday when Pakistan ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi withdrew his name from consideration. The ECB confirmed Afridi’s exit alongside several other international stars, citing scheduling conflicts with the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and bilateral series commitments.
Other notable pre-auction withdrawals included:
- Quinton de Kock (South Africa)
- Sunil Narine (West Indies)
- AM Ghazanfar (Afghanistan)
- Peter Siddle (Australia)
Afridi’s withdrawal left exactly 13 Pakistani players available in the men’s auction pool. For comprehensive player statistics, fans can review historical data on ESPNcricinfo.
Women’s Auction Results
The men’s auction success did not translate to the women’s event held on Wednesday. All participating Pakistani players went unsold, failing to attract bids from the eight franchises.
| Player | Role | Base Price | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fatima Sana (Captain) | All-rounder | £15,000 | Unsold |
| Muneeba Ali | Wicketkeeper-Batter | £15,000 | Unsold |
| Diana Baig | Bowler | £15,000 | Unsold |
| Sadia Iqbal | Bowler | £15,000 | Unsold |
The official tournament schedule and finalized rosters will be updated on the The Hundred official website ahead of the 2026 season.