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BCCI's Rajeev Shukla on Abrar Ahmed signing: "We cannot do anything"

BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla stated the Board cannot intervene in Sunrisers Leeds's signing of Pakistani cricketer Abrar Ahmed for The Hundred, as it is a foreign league matter. The signing has caused significant social media backlash against franchise co-owner Kavya Maran due to the player's alleged past remarks about the Indian armed forces. This marks the first time an active Pakistan player has been signed by an Indian-owned team in The Hundred, despite IPL franchises having stakes in several teams. The auction proceeded amid scrutiny over whether IPL-owned franchises would bid for Pakistani players, against a backdrop of longstanding geopolitical tensions.

Key Points: BCCI on Abrar Ahmed's Hundred signing by Sunrisers Leeds

  • BCCI says it cannot intervene in foreign league signings
  • Abrar Ahmed first Pak player signed by Indian-owned Hundred team
  • Signing sparks backlash over player's past remarks
  • Sunrisers Leeds won bidding war for the leg-spinner
2 min read

"They will have to take a call; we cannot do anything": Rajeev Shukla on Abrar Ahmed's signing by Sunrisers Leeds in The Hundred

BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla says the Board cannot intervene in Sunrisers Leeds signing Pakistani spinner Abrar Ahmed for The Hundred.

"It is not in our domain (IPL), they have done it for some foreign league. They will have to take a call; we cannot do anything. - Rajeev Shukla"

New Delhi, March 13

Amid the uproar over Pakistani cricketer Abrar Ahmed being signed by Sunrisers Leeds in The Hundred auction, BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla on Friday said the Board cannot intervene as the signing is related to a foreign league and the franchise will have to take a call.

Speaking to ANI, Shukla said, "It is not in our domain (IPL), they have done it for some foreign league. They will have to take a call; we cannot do anything."

Sunrisers Leeds bought the leg-spinner for £190,000 (US$255,000) during the inaugural men's Hundred auction in London, making him the first Pakistan player to be signed by an Indian-owned team in the tournament.

The signing has sparked backlash on social media against Sunrisers Leeds co-owner Kavya Maran, with critics pointing to alleged remarks by the 27-year-old spinner mocking the Indian Air Force and Army during the period surrounding the events of Operation Sindoor in May last year.

According to ESPNcricinfo, the Indian media conglomerate Sun TV completed a full takeover of the franchise, formerly known as Northern Superchargers, last year. The group bought a 49 per cent stake from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the remaining 51 per cent from Yorkshire for around £100 million. Stakes in three other Hundred teams were also sold to investors who own IPL franchises.

Sunrisers, whose sister franchises Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL and Sunrisers Eastern Cape in SA20, have never previously signed an active Pakistan player. The Leeds-based side won a bidding war with Trent Rockets to secure Abrar shortly before the lunch break.

The auction had drawn scrutiny over whether the four franchises owned by IPL investors would bid for Pakistan players amid reports of a possible 'shadow-ban', despite the eight teams committing to selections based on "performance, availability and the needs of each team".

Abrar was the second Pakistan player sold in the auction after Usman Tariq, who was picked up by Birmingham Phoenix for £140,000 (US$187,000). Trent Rockets and Phoenix are co-owned by their host counties, Nottinghamshire and Warwickshire, respectively, along with American investor groups.

Pakistan players have featured for several global T20 teams owned or part-owned by IPL franchises, but no active Pakistan international has played in the IPL since 2008 due to the long-standing geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
It's a business decision at the end of the day. The Hundred is an English tournament, and they bought him for his cricket skills. We should separate sports from politics sometimes.
V
Vikram M
Very disappointing. Sunrisers Hyderabad is my favorite IPL team. Knowing the sister franchise signed someone who disrespected our soldiers leaves a bad taste. Hope they reconsider.
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Priya S
If the player has indeed made such remarks, it's not just about cricket. It's about respect for our country. The franchise owners should have checked his background properly. 🤔
R
Rohit P
This is why the IPL doesn't have Pakistani players. The tensions are real. But The Hundred is different. Still, as an Indian, I won't be supporting that Leeds team now.
M
Michael C
Interesting to see the global expansion of IPL franchise owners. It's a commercial move, but they must be aware of the sentiment back in India. The backlash on social media shows it's a sensitive issue.
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Kavya N
As a cricket lover, I want to see the best players play. But national pride comes first. Mocking our armed forces is a red line that should not be crossed, no matter how good a bowler he is.

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