The Hundred Auction: Abrar Ahmed Joins Sunrisers Leeds

Pakistani spinner Abrar Ahmed bought by Sunrisers Leeds

Abrar Ahmed, Pakistan leg-spinner, signs with Sunrisers Leeds for £190k in The Hundred auction.

Sunrisers Leeds secure Abrar Ahmed's services in The Hundred auction...

Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed has been signed by Indian-owned Sunrisers Leeds for 190,000 pounds ($254,201.00) in The Hundred auction. This comes despite earlier reports suggesting Indian-owned teams might avoid signing Pakistani players due to tensions between India and Pakistan.

Abrar, a leg-spinner, has played 38 Twenty20s for Pakistan since his debut in 2024, taking 52 wickets with an economy rate of 6.67. Sunrisers Leeds opened the bidding at 130,000 pounds and beat off interest from Trent Rockets to secure his services. Other Pakistani players, including Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf, went unsold.

The ECB and all eight franchises emphasized that players won't be excluded from selection based on nationality after the reports.

Abrar, 27, has played 38 T20s for Pakistan since 2024, taking 52 wickets at an economy rate of 6.67. Sunrisers opened bidding at £130k and raised it to fend off Trent Rockets. 

Abrar at Headingley, soon 👏

[Play With Fire | SunRisers Leeds] pic.twitter.com/Yqm204j091

— SunRisers Leeds (@sunrisersleeds) March 12, 2026

Trent Rockets, who are not Indian-owned, also attempted to sign Abrar's compatriot Usman Tariq, who ultimately joined Birmingham ‌Phoenix for 140,000 pounds, while Pakistan's Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf went unsold.

Pakistani players have been effectively barred from the Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2009.

James Coles, 21, Sussex all-rounder, was bought by London Spirit for £390k, the highest price in the first half.

Welsh Fire picked up England's Joe Root and Jordan Cox. 

The Hundred, a unique 100-ball cricket league, runs from July 21st to August 16th. It was opened to private investment last year, with 4 franchises acquired by IPL owners.