The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has today sent a formal directive to all eight franchises in The Hundred, warning them against any intentional discrimination toward Pakistan players in the upcoming 2026 auction. This follows explosive reports that Indian-owned franchises—including MI London and Manchester Super Giants—might overlook the 67 Pakistani players registered for the draft due to political tensions. The ECB reaffirmed its commitment to making the competition inclusive and welcoming to all nationalities. 

The controversy has sparked a heated debate within the cricketing world, as four of the eight teams in the tournament are now partly or fully owned by entities linked to the Indian Premier League (IPL). While these owners have historically not selected Pakistani players for the IPL or its global affiliates, the ECB's letter clarifies that such "snubbing" will not be tolerated in the English tournament. The auction, scheduled for March 11-12, will be a major test of this new inclusivity mandate.