Pakistan’s Abrar Ahmed celebrates taking a wicket throughout their T20I Tri-series match in opposition to UAE on the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah on September 4, 2025. — Emirates Cricket Board
Pakistan spinner Abrar signed by Indian-owned Sunrisers Leeds in Hundred public sale
Leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed was purchased by Sunrisers Leeds for £190,000 ($254,201) within the males’s public sale for The Hundred on Thursday, regardless of media studies that Indian-owned groups may keep away from signing cricketers from Pakistan.
In February, the BBC reported that Manchester Tremendous Giants, MI London, Southern Courageous and Sunrisers Leeds wouldn’t think about signing Pakistani gamers for the United Kingdom-based competitors amid tensions between neighbours India and Pakistan.
Abrar has performed 38 Twenty20s for Pakistan since making his debut in 2024, taking 52 wickets with an financial system fee of 6.67.
Sunrisers opened the bidding for the 27-year-old at £130,000 earlier than elevating their bid to fend off curiosity from Trent Rockets.
Trent Rockets, who should not Indian-owned, additionally tried to signal Abrar’s compatriot Usman Tariq, who in the end joined Birmingham Phoenix for 140,000 kilos, whereas Pakistan’s Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf went unsold.
Pakistani gamers have been successfully barred from the Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2009.
James Coles, a 21-year-old all-rounder who performs for Sussex, fetched the very best worth within the first half of the public sale as he was purchased by London Spirit for 390,000 kilos, whereas Welsh Fireplace picked up former England captain Joe Root and Jordan Cox.
The Hundred, the one cricket league on this planet that makes use of a 100-ball format, can be held from July 21 to August 16.
It was opened to personal funding final yr, with 4 franchises acquired by IPL house owners.
