Former England all-rounder Moeen Ali has urged the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to “keep an eye out” and ensure Pakistan players are not excluded from the upcoming edition of The Hundred.
Reports suggest that four franchises with Indian investment may not pursue Pakistan cricketers in the player auction, potentially limiting their opportunities to teams without Indian ownership links. However, several Pakistan players — including Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Tariq, Sahibzada Farhan, and Salman Ali Agha — have registered for the March 11–12 auction.
Whether franchises bid for them remains to be seen.
“No Scope for Discrimination in Sport”
Speaking to Telegraph Sport, Moeen said it would be a “massive shame” if Pakistan players were overlooked and stressed that discrimination should have no place in professional sport.
He expressed confidence that the ECB would monitor the situation closely and suggested that players across teams would speak up if concerns arise.
“In the UK, I’m not sure that can happen – and I hope it doesn’t happen,” Moeen said, adding that players, regardless of heritage, should raise their voices if fairness is compromised.
Pakistan players have not featured in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since its inaugural 2008 season. Franchises with Indian involvement in tournaments such as SA20 and ILT20 have also largely refrained from signing Pakistan cricketers.
‘Don’t Want to Knock India’
Moeen clarified that his remarks were not directed against India. He described his stint in the IPL as one of the best phases of his career and praised the experience of playing in India.
“I’ve had amazing experiences playing there. Playing IPL was the best thing that happened for my career,” he said, highlighting the respect and camaraderie he experienced.
Call for India-Pakistan Test at Neutral Venue
The 2019 World Cup winner also voiced support for a neutral-venue Test match between India national cricket team and Pakistan national cricket team, suggesting England as a potential host.
He said such a contest would be “amazing for Test cricket,” citing the massive fan following both teams enjoy in England and the broader impact it could have on the longest format of the game.
Indian Investment in The Hundred Franchises
Last year, Indian corporate groups invested in four Hundred franchises:
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Southern Brave (GMR)
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MI London (Reliance)
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Manchester Super Giants (RPSG Group)
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SunRisers Leeds (Sun Group)
Moeen added that when the franchises were sold, the ECB may not have anticipated concerns about player eligibility based on nationality.
What Happens Next?
With the auction approaching, attention will focus on whether Pakistan players attract bids and how the ECB responds if selection patterns raise questions.
The situation has reignited debate about politics, franchise ownership and equal opportunity in global T20 leagues — a conversation likely to continue as The Hundred season draws closer.
