Why All 45 Pakistani Players Went Unpicked in The Hundred 2025 Draft
- Abeera Marium Siddiqui
- March 14, 2025
- 1:30 pm
- 56
- Sports
The Hundred 2025 draft took place on March 12, but no Pakistani cricketer was picked. A total of 45 players from Pakistan registered, including stars like Naseem Shah, Imad Wasim, and Saim Ayub. However, not a single franchise showed interest. This unexpected snub has sparked debates among fans and experts.
Top Pakistani Players Went Unsold
Several well-known Pakistani players entered The Hundred 2025 draft with competitive base prices. Naseem Shah, the highest-priced among them, had a reserve price of £120,000. Imad Wasim and Saim Ayub set theirs at £78,500. Other experienced players like Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, and Mohammad Hasnain entered at £63,000.
Some players, including Mohammad Abbas, Haider Ali, and Ammad Butt, registered without a base price. They hoped to attract interest from franchises. Despite having available overseas slots, no team picked a Pakistani player.
IPL’s Influence on The Hundred 2025 Draft
The Hundred 2025 draft introduced a major shift. For the first time, private investors backed teams, with four franchises receiving investment from Indian Premier League (IPL) owners.
Which IPL Franchises Have Invested in The Hundred?
All eight teams in The Hundred now have private investors. Four of these investments come from IPL franchise owners:
- Mumbai Indians bought a 49% stake in Oval Invincibles.
- RPSG Group (which owns Lucknow Super Giants) acquired a 70% stake in Manchester Originals.
- Kavya Maran-backed Sunrisers Hyderabad purchased 100% ownership of Northern Superchargers.
- GMR Group, co-owners of Delhi Capitals, bought a 49% stake in Southern Brave.
Since 2009, IPL has imposed a ban on Pakistani players due to political tensions. The same trend is visible in other leagues, such as South Africa’s SA20, where IPL-backed teams have not featured any Pakistani cricketers. With IPL owners now controlling half of The Hundred’s franchises, many believe this could be a major reason why no Pakistani player was selected in the 2025 draft.
Pakistan’s Busy Schedule in August
Another factor affecting Pakistani players is their packed international calendar. The Hundred 2025 runs from August 5 to August 31, during which Pakistan has international commitments.
- A three-match ODI and T20I series against West Indies from July 31 to August 12.
- A possible white-ball series against Bangladesh in the same period.
Teams in The Hundred prefer players who are available for the full season. With Pakistan’s schedule uncertain, franchises may have been reluctant to sign their players.
ECB Denies Any Restrictions on Pakistani Players
Despite IPL investments in The Hundred, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) Chief Executive Richard Gould dismissed concerns about any official restrictions on Pakistani players. He stated:
“We are aware of the challenges Pakistani players face in other regions, but that won’t be happening here.”
However, the draft results suggest otherwise. While England’s James Anderson also went unsold, other foreign players, such as Afghanistan’s Noor Ahmad and New Zealand’s Michael Bracewell, secured £200,000 deals.
Final Wildcard Picks Still Open
Although the main draft has ended, teams still have one last chance to make changes. In May’s wildcard draft, franchises can pick additional players before the tournament kicks off on August 5.
