The Hundred’s Pakistani Player Puzzle: IPL Owners’ Global Reach Fuels Selection Concerns
The upcoming auction for ‘The Hundred’, England’s premier T20 competition, is shaping up to be a significant indicator of the growing influence of Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise owners across the global cricket landscape. Reports suggest that Pakistani cricketers may face a limited selection from teams with IPL ownership ties, a move that underscores the complex interplay between politics, business, and sport. This potential development raises questions about fair play and player opportunities as IPL owners continue to expand their footprint in T20 leagues worldwide.
The expansion of IPL franchise owners into various international T20 leagues – including South Africa’s SA20, the UAE’s ILT20, the USA’s Major League Cricket (MLC), the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), and England’s own ‘The Hundred’ – has created a powerful global network. This burgeoning influence, according to a senior official from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) cited by BBC Sport, could impact the selection process for Pakistani players in ‘The Hundred’. The implication is that teams owned or heavily influenced by IPL franchises might steer clear of Pakistani talent, mirroring patterns observed in other leagues.
A Global Network of IPL Ownership
IPL franchise owners have strategically invested in and acquired teams across multiple countries, establishing a formidable presence in the burgeoning world of franchise cricket. This dominance is evident in the following leagues:
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SA20 (South Africa): All teams in this league are owned by IPL franchise owners.
- MI Cape Town: Owned by Reliance Industries, connected to the Mumbai Indians.
- Joburg Super Kings: Owned by India Cements, connected to the Chennai Super Kings.
- Pretoria Capitals: Owned by GMR Group, connected to the Delhi Capitals.
- Paarl Royals: Owned by Royals Sports Group, connected to the Rajasthan Royals.
- Sunrisers Eastern Cape: Owned by Sun Group, connected to the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
- Durban’s Super Giants: Owned by RPSG Group, connected to the Lucknow Super Giants.
Notably, since the inception of SA20, no Pakistani player has been selected for any team, hinting at a deliberate pattern.
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International T20 League (ILT20 – UAE): Indian companies hold a significant stake in this league.
- MI Emirates: Owned by Reliance Industries, connected to the Mumbai Indians.
- Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: Owned by Red Chillies Group, connected to the Kolkata Knight Riders.
- Dubai Capitals: Owned by GMR Group, connected to the Delhi Capitals.
- Gulf Giants: Owned by Adani Group, with business links to Gujarat Titans.
- Sharjah Warriors: Owned by Capri Global, connected to UP Warriorz.
- Desert Vipers: Owned by international investors with no direct IPL link.
While most Indian-owned teams have not selected Pakistani players, the Desert Vipers have been more inclined to do so.
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Major League Cricket (MLC – USA): The league boasts a strong Indian presence.
- MI New York: Owned by Reliance Industries, connected to the Mumbai Indians.
- LA Knight Riders: Owned by Knight Riders Group, connected to the Kolkata Knight Riders.
- Texas Super Kings: Owned by India Cements, connected to the Chennai Super Kings.
- Seattle Orcas: Owned by GMR Group, connected to the Delhi Capitals.
- San Francisco Unicorns: Owned by private investors with no IPL link.
- Washington Freedom: Owned by private investors with no IPL link.
Four out of the six MLC teams are owned by IPL franchises, illustrating their considerable influence in shaping the league.
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Caribbean Premier League (CPL): Indian owners control half of the teams in this popular Caribbean competition.
- Trinbago Knight Riders: Owned by Red Chillies Group, connected to the Kolkata Knight Riders.
- Barbados Royals: Owned by Royals Sports Group, connected to the Rajasthan Royals.
- Saint Lucia Kings: Owned by KPH Dream Cricket, connected to Punjab Kings.
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The Hundred (England): Indian companies are increasingly investing in this English competition.
- Manchester Super Giants: Owned by RPSG Group, connected to the Lucknow Super Giants.
- MI London: Owned by Reliance Industries, connected to the Mumbai Indians.
- Southern Brave: Owned by GMR Group, connected to the Delhi Capitals.
- Sunrisers Leeds: Owned by Sun Group, connected to the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
These teams are set to participate in the upcoming ‘The Hundred’ auction, and the prevailing sentiment is that Pakistani players might not be a priority for these IPL-linked franchises.
A Pattern of Exclusion?
This potential exclusion of Pakistani cricketers from ‘The Hundred’ is not an isolated incident. A similar pattern has been observed in other leagues, such as SA20 and ILT20. The extensive international network now controlled by IPL franchise owners grants them significant leverage in player selection.
The long-standing political tensions between India and Pakistan have historically impacted cricketing ties, with Pakistani players last featuring in the IPL in 2008. The current trend in globally owned franchise leagues appears to be an extension of this political undercurrent. In some instances, even players from other nations have been affected; for example, the Kolkata Knight Riders reportedly released Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman in January 2026 following directives from the Indian cricket board. These occurrences highlight how political dynamics can sometimes manifest within the sport.
IPL Owners: Dominating the Franchise Cricket Arena
Currently, IPL franchise owners stand at the forefront of global franchise cricket, holding significant stakes in leagues across multiple continents:
- India: Indian Premier League (IPL)
- South Africa: SA20
- UAE: International T20 League (ILT20)
- USA: Major League Cricket (MLC)
- Caribbean: Caribbean Premier League (CPL)
- England: The Hundred
This widespread ownership has enabled these entities to build strong brands and cultivate vast fan bases. However, it also opens the door to discussions about fair play, equitable opportunities for players, and the potential for undue influence.
Despite being recognised as some of the most potent short-format cricketers, the representation of Pakistani players in leagues associated with IPL franchise owners remains notably sparse. The upcoming auction for ‘The Hundred’ is expected to further illuminate this connection and its implications for international cricket.
