The Hundred Archives

Rauf among 14 Pakistan players in The Hundred auction

LONDON: Pacer Haris Rauf has been named a ‘marquee player’ in The Hundred inaugural auction, one of 14 Pakistani players on the list.

The list revealed on The Hundred’s official website features 14 Pakistan players, including Rauf.

“The longlist for The Hundred Auction have been revealed, with the likes of Joe Root, Davina Perrin, Nadine de Klerk and Shaheen Shah Afridi set to go under the hammer at Piccadilly Lights on 11 and 12 March,” the press release wrote.

“With nearly 1,000 players registering themselves for consideration for the Auction, the eight men’s and women’s teams were required to nominate up to 100 players they’d be interested in purchasing. Any player with at least one nomination has been included on the longlists,” it added.

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Two weeks earlier, the BBC reported that the four Indian-owned franchises of the eight-team competition, Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave, and Sunrisers Leeds, were not considering Pakistani players for next month’s auction.

However, last week the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) issued a statement reaffirming, stating that The Hundred is an inclusive competition, open to all players.

“All eight teams commit to selection being based solely on cricketing performance, availability, and the needs of each team,” the statement read.

Besides Rauf, other prominent players on the men’s longlist include pacers Shaheen Afridi, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, and Usman Tariq.

For the unversed, the Hundred will be played from July 21 to August 16, 2026.

Men’s Hundred Pakistan players

Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Tariq, Saim Ayub, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Amir, Zaman Khan, Imad Wasim, Usama Mir, Akif Javed, Salman Mirza

Women’s Hundred Pakistan players

Fatima Sana, Sadia Iqbal.

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ECB warns The Hundred franchises amid concerns over Pakistan snub

LONDON: The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has issued a formal reminder to all eight franchises of The Hundred regarding their obligations, following reports that Pakistan players could be overlooked by teams with Indian Premier League (IPL)-linked ownership at next month’s auction.

According to English media, the ECB circulated an email on Sunday stressing that any form of discrimination, including decisions influenced by nationality, would invite action.

It is understood that if credible evidence emerges, the matter could be referred to the independent Cricket Regulator, while the ECB may also pursue separate measures as the governing body of the 100-ball competition.

The move follows a report earlier this week claiming that Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave and Sunrisers Leeds may opt against considering Pakistan players at the March 11–12 auction.

The issue has once again highlighted the broader geopolitical tensions that have impacted cricketing ties between India and Pakistan for over a decade.

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Pakistan players have not featured in the IPL since 2009, and their participation in other leagues has narrowed as IPL team owners have expanded into tournaments such as SA20 in South Africa and the ILT20 in the UAE.

For the upcoming edition of The Hundred, 67 Pakistan players, 63 men and four women, have entered the auction pool. The list includes high-profile names such as Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah.

In total, 964 players have registered for the draft. Franchises are required to submit a preferred list of 75 to 100 names, with the ECB trimming the overall pool to a shortlist of around 200 players set to go under the hammer.

Notably, no Pakistan players were picked in last year’s auction, although Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim later featured as replacement signings.

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Harry Brook responds to reports of Pakistan players’ snub in The Hundred

England captain Harry Brook has responded to mounting speculation that Pakistan players could be overlooked in the upcoming edition of The Hundred, saying it would be “a shame” if the tournament misses out on their presence.

Reports in English media have suggested that franchises with Indian Premier League (IPL)-linked ownership may refrain from picking Pakistan cricketers at next month’s auction.

While the development has triggered debate across the cricketing world, Brook made it clear that England’s focus lies elsewhere.

“Our main focus now is what’s coming up in the T20 World Cup. It’s not really any of our business, to be honest,” Brook said in a recent interview.

Even so, the England skipper did not shy away from acknowledging Pakistan’s stature in the game. He described the country as one of cricket’s most influential forces and stressed that the global circuit benefits from their involvement.

“Pakistan have been a great cricket nation for many years. I think there’s about 50, 60 players in the auction, and it would be a shame to not see some of them in there,” he remarked.

Harry Brook further underlined the broader impact Pakistani players bring to franchise tournaments, not just through skill, but through fan engagement and atmosphere.

“There’s some amazing cricketers and they bring some great crowds as well. It would be a shame to not see some of the Pakistan players in there and make the tournament and competition even better,” he added.

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The speculation stems from reports indicating that four franchises, Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave and Sunrisers Leeds, all partially owned by IPL-linked investors, could bypass Pakistan players in the men’s auction scheduled for March 12 in London, following the women’s auction on March 11.

According to the reports, a senior England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) official informed an agent that interest in Pakistan players would likely be limited to franchises not associated with IPL ownership.

Another agent reportedly described the situation as an “unwritten rule” in leagues influenced by IPL investments.

The claims appear to contradict assurances previously made by ECB Chief Executive Richard Gould, who had stated that Pakistani players would not face restrictions in England’s 100-ball competition.

“We are aware of the challenges Pakistani players face in other regions, but that won’t be happening here,” Gould had said last year, reaffirming the board’s commitment to inclusivity.

Pakistan cricketers have not featured in the IPL since 2008 and have also had limited opportunities in other IPL-linked leagues such as SA20, ILT20 and Major League Cricket (MLC).

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Oval Invincibles renamed MI London in latest Hundred franchise deal

Oval Invincibles, the most successful franchise in The Hundred, will be re-branded as MI London from 2026 after a deal between the franchise and the owners of the Mumbai Indians.

Surrey, who host the Invincibles matches at their Oval stadium, will retain a 51 per cent share in the team, while Reliance Industries Limited now hold the remaining 49 per cent.

Both the men’s and women’s teams will be renamed as MI London in the Hundred next year.

The Invincibles have won five titles in five years across both men’s and women’s tournaments and are the latest team to become part of the Mumbai Indians name.

“We’re pleased to have reached an agreement with the Reliance team over our partnership in the Hundred franchise team,” Surrey chairman Oli Slipper said.

“Reliance bring a significant depth of cricket and business expertise and have had great success with their franchise teams in India and around the world. There’s no doubt that they are here to win.”

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Mumbai Indians are the joint most successful men’s team in the Indian Premier League (IPL) after winning the title five times.

Reliance, who also have MI franchises in New York, Cape Town and Abu Dhabi, are reported to have paid around £60 million ($80 million) for their share in the Invincibles.

“We are delighted to welcome MI London into the family and take the MI legacy to new frontiers,” Reliance founder Nita Ambani said.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) also confirmed on Wednesday that Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly’s Cain & Ares Management Credit group finalised their investment in Trent Rockets in October.

Deals involving all eight Hundred sides have now been completed after stakes in the other six franchises were sold in July.

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MI London likely new name for Oval Invincibles in The Hundred: report

The top-performing franchise in The Hundred, Oval Invincibles, is likely to be rebranded as MI London, according to a report in The Telegraph.

According to the report, the name change, which is set to take place in 2026, is backed by Indian co-owners who hold a 49 percent stake in the team.

With this name change, the franchise will align with the rest of the Ambani family’s Mumbai Indians.

In 2026, The Hundred will undergo numerous changes with a new ownership model formally taking over the tournament.

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As per the report, Surrey County Cricket Club, which partnered with Ambani’s in a deal valued at £123 million, is hoping that the new name will include ‘Surrey’ to reflect the county honour; however, reports suggest it is unlikely to happen.

Moreover, the Oval Invincibles rebranding will result in two teams with ‘London’ in The Hundred: MI London, based at the Oval, and London Spirit, based at Lord’s.

Following the adoption of the new model, other teams in the competition are undergoing rebranding.

The Manchester Originals are expected to be renamed Manchester Super Giants, whereas Northern Superchargers are likely to include ‘Sunrisers’ in their name, with Sunrisers Leeds being considered.

It is worth mentioning that Invincibles are the sixth cricket franchise worldwide under RIL’s management.

The group already owns the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Women’s Premier League, MI Emirates in the UAE’s ILT20, MI Cape Town in South Africa’s SA20, and MI New York in Major League Cricket in the United States.

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Amir, Imad and Naseem among seven players granted NOCs for franchise leagues

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has granted no-objection certificates (NOCs) to Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, and Naseem Shah to feature in the various franchise leagues.

The board announced the NOCs in a press release, confirming the issuance of NOCs to seven players for participation in franchise leagues around the globe.

The duo of Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim, who retired last December, have been issued NOCs to participate in The Hundred competition, currently underway in England.

Both players will represent Northern Superchargers in the ongoing season.

Amir and Imad, who are the first players from Pakistan this year to participate in The Hundred. They will replace Australian pacer Ben Dwarshius and New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner, both of whom are injured.

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Besides the duo, pacer Naseem Shah and Iftikhar Ahmed were also issued the NOCs to feature in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

Additionally, Faheem Ashraf and Khusdil Shah have also been granted NOCs to feature in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2025.

Sharjeel Khan, the southpaw who last played for Pakistan at the international level in 2021, received an NOC to take part in the Top End T20 Series in Australia.

List of players granted NOCs

Imad Wasim – The Hundred (7 Aug 2025-10 Aug 2025)

Mohammad Amir – The Hundred (7 Aug 2025-10 Aug 2025)

Sharjeel Khan – Top End T20 Series in Australia 2025 (15 Aug 2025-25 Aug 2025)

Mohammad Amir – CPL 2025 (15 Aug 2025-22 Sep 2025)

Naseem Shah – CPL 2025 (15 Aug 2025-22 Sep 2025)

Iftikhar Ahmed – CPL 2025 (14 Aug 2025-21 Sep 2025)

Khushdil Shah – BPL (1 Dec 2025-15 Jan 2026)

Faheem Ashraf – BPL (1 Dec 2025-15 Jan 2026)

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Ben Stokes to mentor Northern Superchargers in The Hundred 2025

England Test captain Ben Stokes has officially joined Northern Superchargers as a mentor for the upcoming season of The Hundred, taking on a non-playing role due to ongoing injury and fitness management.

Stokes, 34, has featured in five matches for the Superchargers across the 2021 and 2024 editions of the 100-ball tournament.

However, he was already set to miss this year’s campaign after opting to manage his workload ahead of the Ashes series in Australia later this year.

The all-rounder is currently sidelined with a shoulder injury sustained during the fourth Test against India in July.

The injury also ruled him out of the fifth and final Test at The Oval, where Ollie Pope led the side in his absence.

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While he won’t be seen on the field, Ben Stokes will still have a presence in the dressing room, joining head coach Andrew Flintoff’s support staff to guide the Northern Superchargers from the sidelines.

Before his injury setback, Stokes had delivered a strong performance in the series against India.

He bowled 140 overs across four Tests, claiming 17 wickets at an average of 25.24. With the bat, he amassed 304 runs in seven innings at an impressive average of 43.43.

It is worth mentioning that in Stokes’ absence, India edged out England by six runs in a thrilling final Test at The Oval, drawing the five-match series 2-2 last week.

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Pakistan’s star players join Northern Superchargers for The Hundred 2025

LONDON: Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim have officially signed with the Northern Superchargers for the 2025 edition of The Hundred, becoming the first Pakistani players to secure deals for this year’s competition.

The experienced duo have been roped in as replacements for the Superchargers.

Amir comes in for Australian pacer Ben Dwarshuis, who has been ruled out of the entire season due to international commitments, while Imad will fill in for New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner, who is set to miss the first two matches.

Their signings come after months of uncertainty surrounding the participation of Pakistani players in The Hundred, especially under the league’s new ownership structure.

The Northern Superchargers, it is worth noting, will come under the operational control of India’s Sun Group starting October 1.

No Pakistani cricketer was picked during the players’ draft in March, sparking speculation that the growing influence of Indian stakeholders, who now hold ownership in six of the eight teams, might have played a role in their exclusion.

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However, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) categorically denied any political or ownership-driven bias, maintaining that Pakistani players remained eligible for selection.

Cricket analysts attributed their absence more to scheduling conflicts than politics.

Pakistan’s white-ball tour of the West Indies, followed by a tri-series in the UAE, limited player availability during the draft window.

Additionally, the team’s recent T20I struggles and last year’s late pull-outs by Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah reportedly affected their chances.

With Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim now in the mix, the Superchargers’ squad gets a significant boost.

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ECB confirms franchise deals for six teams in The Hundred

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed on Wednesday the signing of the agreements for the six franchises of The Hundred tournament, with deals for the Oval Invincibles and Trent Rockets still to be finalized.

The 100-balls-per-side format, launched in 2021, features men’s and women’s teams.

The 100-balls-a-side format, which features men’s and women’s teams, was launched to great fanfare in 2021. It has proved controversial, with many county cricket fans angry at the way the tournament deprives their clubs of key players at the height of the season.

The investors among the six groups are the US-based Tech Titans, who have taken a 49 percent stake in London Spirit, whereas India’s RPSG Group has acquired a 70 percent stake in the Manchester Originals.

Sanjiv Goenka, the owner of RPSG Group, will rename Manchester Originals to Manchester Super Giants, aligning with his Super Giants franchises in the IPL and SA20.

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Additionally, Chennai-based Sun TV Network has completed the signing for the 100 percent stake in the Northern Superchargers, while the GMR Group has acquired a 49 percent stake in the Southern Brave.

Sanjay Govil, the owner of Washington Freedom, a franchise in the Major League Cricket (MLC), has acquired a 50 percent stake in the Welsh Fire.

The Birmingham Phoenix team is taken by Knighthead Capital Management LLC.

In addition to the unsigned agreement with Reliance Group for a 49% stake in Oval Invincible, Cain International and Ares Management have not yet finalized their agreement for a 49% stake in Trent Rockets.

It is noteworthy to mention that new owners will take over the franchises from October 1, 2025.

Following the deals, the ECB mentioned that it has control over key areas of franchises amid new partners’ investment.

“The new partners are investing in The Hundred teams, while the ECB retains full ownership of the competition itself, and with that, control over key areas such as regulations, the length of the window, and other matters that have a wider game-wide impact,” the media release further clarified.

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Anderson, Flintoff selected in The Hundred wildcard Draft

James Anderson and Rocky Flintoff will both take part in The Hundred this season after being selected in the wildcard Draft.

Anderson, 42, an England great and one of the finest bowlers to ever play the game, was selected by Manchester Originals.

Flintoff, 17, will join up with his father, Andrew, Head Coach at Northern Superchargers.

The pair were two of 32 names drafted in the wildcard Draft, the final updates to the 16 squads ahead of the fifth year of The Hundred.

Essex’s Esmae Macgregor will join Anderson at Originals, off the back of a domestic campaign which sees her top the wicket-taking charts in the Vitality Blast women’s competition.

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The wildcard Draft gives an opportunity to players previously unselected in The Hundred to earn selection through outstanding performances in the Vitality Blast men’s and women’s competitions across the first three months of the domestic season.

Hilton Cartwright was the only overseas player selected, filling a spot at Southern Brave vacated by Faf du Plessis, who had to withdraw through injury. Jason Roy will replace du Plessis at Brave.

“I’m really looking forward to The Hundred, and I’m really happy to be part of the Manchester Originals squad,” said James Anderson.

“I’ve loved my time with Lancashire this season, so I’m excited to have the opportunity to add value in The Hundred.”

“It’s a competition I’ve really enjoyed watching. When you’re at the games, you can really see that it does attract a slightly different crowd, a lot of younger people and families, and you can’t underestimate how important that is for our game. I can’t wait to get out there.”

Birmingham Phoenix: Mary Taylor, Phoebe Brett, Liam Patterson-White, Louis Kimber
London Spirit: Abi Norgrove, Kate Coppack, Sean Dickson, Ryan Higgins
Manchester Originals: Esmae Macgregor, Darcey Carter, James Anderson, Marchant de Lange
Northern Superchargers: Katherine Fraser, Sophia Turner, James Fuller, Rocky Flintoff
Oval Invincibles: Daisy Gibb, Rebecca Odgers, George Scrimshaw, Zafar Gohar
Southern Brave: Phoebe Turner, Amara Carr, Toby Albert, Hilton Cartwright
Trent Rockets: Grace Thompson, Sophie Morris, Callum Parkinson, Ben Sanderson
Welsh Fire: Charley Phillips, Alex Griffiths, Ajeet Singh Dale, Ben Kellaway

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