England all-rounder Moeen Ali has issued a stark warning that players will take collective action if Indian-owned franchises attempt to systematically boycott Pakistani cricket signings in The Hundred, insisting such discriminatory behaviour “can’t happen in the UK.”

The Pakistani Players Dilemma

Four of the six franchises have direct ties to IPL teams, Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, Lucknow SuperGiants and SunRisers Hyderabad. These ownership groups have largely avoided signing Pakistan players in overseas leagues such as South Africa’s SA20 and the UAE’s ILT20, a trend often linked to strained diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan.

Apart from Shaheen, Salman, Saim and Usman Tariq, several leading Pakistan players have entered the auction at higher base price brackets. Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Nawaz and Naseem Shah have listed themselves at a base price of GBP 100,000.

Despite 63 Pakistani cricketers registering for The Hundred 2026 auction scheduled for March 11-12 in London, significant concerns persist about their actual signing prospects. The uncertainty stems from patterns observed in other franchise leagues where Indian-owned teams have systematically avoided Pakistani talent.

The Historical Pattern

Six of the eight franchises participating in The Hundred have ownership groups with Indian connections. These include London Spirit, MI Oval, Manchester SuperGiants, Southern Brave, SunRisers Leeds, and Welsh Fire. Several of these owners also operate franchises in the Indian Premier League. Historically, Indian-owned teams across global T20 leagues — including SA20 in South Africa and ILT20 in the UAE — have avoided signing Pakistani players.

The Hundred 2026 Structure

Aspect	Details
Total Franchises	8 teams (Men’s and Women’s)
Pakistani Players Registered	63 players
Auction Date	March 11-12, 2026 in London
Indian-Owned Franchises	4 teams (MI Oval, Delhi Capitals, LSG, SRH)
Non-Indian Franchises	4 teams (London Spirit, Welsh Fire, Birmingham Phoenix, Trent Rockets)
Men’s Salary Cap	GBP 2.05 million
Women’s Salary Cap	GBP 880,000 (doubled from previous)
Total Players in Auction	710 players from 18 nations

World Cricketers Association Response

Tom Moffat, chief executive of the World Cricketers’ Association, stressed the importance of fair play. “Every player should have the right to fair and equal opportunity,” he said. “While employers have autonomy in recruitment, those decisions should always align with principles of fairness, equality and respect“.

The WCA’s statement represents the formal position of player representatives globally, indicating serious concern about systematic exclusion based on nationality rather than merit.

ECB’s Official Position

The England and Wales Cricket Board has pushed back against reports of a shadow ban, stating that franchises are expected to reflect global representation. The ECB has emphasized that team selection should be based on cricketing merit rather than geopolitical considerations.

Moeen Ali’s Stand

Moeen Ali has previously criticized cricket boards for politicization of the sport. Following the controversy around Mustafizur Rahman’s removal from the IPL due to political pressure from both countries, Moeen expressed concern about governing bodies failing as guardians of the game.

His warning regarding potential Pakistani boycotts in The Hundred represents an escalation of his public criticism of systemic discrimination in cricket.

FAQs

Why are Indian-owned franchises reluctant to sign Pakistani players?

The pattern is often linked to strained diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan. Teams have historically avoided Pakistani signings across SA20 and ILT20 leagues.

How many Pakistani players registered for The Hundred 2026 auction?

Pakistan have 63 players in the auction pool, including Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Shadab Khan.

When is The Hundred 2026 auction scheduled?

The auction is scheduled for March 11-12, 2026, in London, with the league running from July 21 to August 16, 2026.

What has Moeen Ali warned about?

Moeen has warned that players will take action if Pakistani signings are systematically boycotted, stating such discrimination cannot happen in the UK.

Which franchises are not Indian-owned?

London Spirit, Welsh Fire, Birmingham Phoenix, and Trent Rockets represent the four non-Indian-owned franchises where Pakistani players have better prospects.