Vaughan Urges ECB to Uphold Inclusivity in The Hundred Amidst IPL-Linked Team Exclusions
Reports are emerging that several teams in the popular English cricket competition, The Hundred, which have ties to the Indian Premier League (IPL), will not be considering Pakistani players for selection. This development has drawn sharp criticism from former England captain Michael Vaughan, who is urging the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to intervene and ensure the tournament remains an inclusive platform for all cricketers.
The structure of The Hundred has seen significant changes. Prior to the start of the 2026 season, the ECB divested its 49% stake in each of the eight participating teams. Consequently, a substantial portion of these teams – precisely half – are now at least partially owned by entities linked to IPL franchises. Further aligning these teams with their international counterparts, three of them – Manchester Super Giants, MI London, and Sunrisers Leeds – have undergone rebranding.
The backdrop to this controversy is the long-standing stance of the IPL, which has not included Pakistani players in its rosters since 2009, a decision attributed to ongoing diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan. News outlets, including the BBC and The Telegraph, have indicated that The Hundred teams with ownership connections to IPL entities are likely to follow suit, deliberately overlooking Pakistani talent to preempt any potential political repercussions.
This trend is not isolated to The Hundred; it reflects a broader pattern observed in franchise cricket leagues globally where Indian-owned franchises are involved. For instance, South Africa’s SA20, launched in 2023, has seen no Pakistani players participate, with all six of its teams being owned by IPL franchise groups. Similarly, in the UAE’s ILT20, franchises associated with the owners of MI London and the Southern Brave have notably abstained from signing any Pakistani players across their four seasons of operation.
Michael Vaughan took to social media to express his strong disapproval of this emerging situation. He believes the ECB, as the governing body of the league, has a responsibility to act swiftly and decisively.
“The ECB need to act fast on this,” Vaughan posted on X in response to an article detailing the issue. “They own the league and this should not be allowed to happen. The most inclusive sport in the country is not one that allows this to happen.”
Vaughan’s assertion highlights the ECB’s ultimate authority over The Hundred, even after the sale of its stakes in individual teams. While a new board, comprising representatives from the teams, has been established to guide the competition’s strategic direction, the ECB retains overarching control. The Hundred also operates under the purview of an independent cricket regulator, a body established in the wake of the 2023 Equity in Cricket report, which identified “widespread” discrimination within English cricket.
ECB chief executive Richard Gould has previously affirmed the tournament’s commitment to inclusivity. Last year, he stated that The Hundred possesses “clear anti-discrimination policies” and expressed his expectation that “players from all nations to be selected for all teams.”
Adding to this sentiment, an ECB spokesperson commented on the situation: “The Hundred welcomes men’s and women’s players from all over the world and we would expect the eight teams to reflect that in The Hundred Auction. Almost 1,000 cricketers from 18 nations have registered for The Hundred Auction, with representation on the longlist of over 50 players respectively from Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Pakistan and West Indies.”
The current situation raises important questions about the integrity and inclusivity of franchise cricket. While commercial interests and geopolitical realities often intertwine in the modern sporting landscape, the principle of meritocracy and equal opportunity for athletes remains a cornerstone of fair competition. The ECB’s response to this emerging trend will be closely watched by cricket enthusiasts and players alike, as it has the potential to set a precedent for how such issues are handled in the future. The Hundred, with its stated aim of being a tournament for everyone, faces a critical juncture in upholding its inclusive ethos.
