Controversy Over Pakistani Player; Sunil Gavaskar Slams Sunrisers Hyderabad
Abrar Ahmed’s signing in The Hundred sparks backlash; Gavaskar questions franchise owners
IPL 2026 | Ahead of the 2026 IPL season, the Sunrisers Hyderabad franchise has found itself in the spotlight, as a new controversy has erupted following their acquisition of Pakistani spinner Abrar Ahmed in ‘The Hundred’ 2026 auction. Expressing strong displeasure over this decision, former Indian cricketing legend Sunil Gavaskar has launched a direct attack on the franchise’s owners.
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The Sunrisers franchise has acquired a 100% stake in the ‘Sunrisers Leeds’ team competing in ‘The Hundred’ tournament. During the auction, this team signed Abrar Ahmed for a contract worth approximately ₹2.32 crore. This decision has triggered a wave of criticism directed at the Hyderabad franchise, which is owned by the Sun TV Network. Questions are also being raised regarding the team’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Kavya Maran.
Meanwhile, prior to the auction, certain British media outlets had claimed that several IPL-affiliated franchises would refrain from signing Pakistani players. However, the controversy has intensified further after the Sunrisers franchise broke this pattern of a ‘tacit ban’ by offering an opportunity to a Pakistani player.
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In his column for *Mid-Day*, Gavaskar articulated his stance in unequivocal terms, stating that ever since the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, IPL franchises have almost completely steered clear of Pakistani players. He noted that the Pakistan government levies taxes on the remuneration received by its players from Indian entities; this revenue is subsequently utilized to build up their military arsenal, thereby indirectly posing a threat to the lives of Indians.
Gavaskar has held the team’s owners directly responsible for this decision, further suggesting that Head Coach Daniel Vettori may not have been fully apprised of this historical context. “Since the team owners are Indian, they should have been mindful of the prevailing circumstances and refrained from taking this decision,” he remarked.
Furthermore, he suggested that the fans, too, might express their protest against this move. “It would come as no surprise if the spectators turned their backs on the matches,” Gavaskar observed, noting that the franchise still has an opportunity to reverse its decision. All in all, this move by Sunrisers Hyderabad has ignited a fresh controversy within the cricketing world, and the atmosphere appears to be heating up well ahead of the 2026 IPL season.
