Pakistan Players Snubbed in The Hundred 2025 Draft Due to Availability Concerns
March 13, 2025 | Sports Updates
LONDON: The player draft for The Hundred 2025, held at
Lord's on Wednesday, saw a surprising omission of all 50 registered Pakistani
cricketers, including 45 men and 5 women. This marks a significant shift as
Pakistani players have been a strong presence in various global franchise leagues.
However, their uncertain availability for the entirety of the tournament led to
them going unpicked.
Pakistan pacers Shaheen Afridi (left) and Haris Rauf reacts during The Hundred match between Welsh Fire and Oval Invincibles in London on August 6, 2023. — ECB
50
Pakistani Players Go Unpicked
The Hundred's fifth season will
feature eight men’s and women’s teams, with each franchise carefully selecting
its squad. Despite the availability of overseas slots, not a single Pakistani
player was picked. While it was expected that a few players might miss out due
to competition, the complete exclusion of all Pakistani cricketers has raised
eyebrows.
Among the top Pakistani players who
remained unsold were:
- Naseem Shah
(Reserve Price: £120,000)
- Imad Wasim, Saim Ayub
(£78,500)
- Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Hasnain (£63,000)
- Several others, including Mohammad Abbas, Haider
Ali, and Ammad Butt, entered the draft without setting a reserve
price.
Why
Were Pakistani Players Not Selected?
1.
Scheduling Conflicts with International Commitments
One of the primary reasons behind
the non-selection was Pakistan's international cricket calendar. The national
team is scheduled to play a three-match ODI and T20I series against the West
Indies from July 31 to August 12, which directly overlaps with The
Hundred’s tournament dates from August 5 to 31, 2025. Additionally, the
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly in talks for a white-ball series
against Bangladesh in the same period, further limiting player availability
(Geo News).
2.
Impact of IPL Franchise Investments
This season, The Hundred introduced
a major financial shift, allowing external investors to buy stakes in
franchises. As a result, four of the eight teams now have financial backing
from Indian Premier League (IPL) owners. While the England and Wales
Cricket Board (ECB) has assured that IPL ownership will not impact Pakistani
players’ selection, their complete exclusion has led to speculations (Geo
Super).
Historically, Pakistani cricketers
have been barred from the IPL since 2008 due to political tensions. However,
ECB Chief Executive Richard Gould had earlier dismissed concerns about
discrimination against Pakistani players, stating: “We are aware of the
challenges Pakistani players face in other regions, but that won’t be happening
here.” (ESPN Cricinfo).
(Left to right) Pakistani cricketers Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Fatima Sana, and Aliya Riaz. — Reuters/AFP/PCB/Instagram/@aliyariaz_official
Women
Cricketers Also Overlooked
The draft saw Aliya Riaz, Fatima
Sana, Yusra Amir, Iram Javed, and Jaweria Rauf remaining unsold despite
their strong performances in recent international fixtures. With limited
overseas slots available in the women’s competition, selectors opted for
cricketers with assured availability. (The Cricketer).
Reaction
from Fans and Experts
The exclusion of Pakistani players
from The Hundred 2025 has sparked criticism from fans and cricket analysts.
Many have taken to social media to express disappointment, highlighting the
contribution of Pakistani players in previous editions. Former cricketer and
commentator Wasim Akram shared his thoughts, stating, "It’s
unfortunate to see top players missing out. Franchise cricket needs to balance
talent with availability, but excluding an entire nation’s players is surprising."
(Cricket Pakistan).
Conclusion
The omission of Pakistani cricketers
from The Hundred 2025 reflects a combination of scheduling conflicts and
evolving franchise dynamics. While their absence has raised questions about
external influences, the primary reason cited remains their unavailability for
the full tournament window. Moving forward, Pakistani players may need to align
their international commitments with franchise league schedules to avoid
similar setbacks in the future.
For more updates on The Hundred 2025, visit Geo News and ESPN Cricinfo.
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