Indian cricket executive Kavya Maran has found herself at the center of a major controversy after her franchise, Sunrisers Leeds, signed Pakistani leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed during the The Hundred 2026 Auction. The move triggered strong reactions from sections of Indian cricket fans, while the team’s official account on X (formerly Twitter) was unexpectedly suspended shortly after the auction concluded.
The incident has sparked widespread debate across social media and the cricketing community, especially because it is rare for a franchise linked to an Indian Premier League ownership group to sign a Pakistani player in an overseas league.
Sunrisers Leeds Buy Abrar Ahmed for ₹2.34 Crore
The The Hundred 2026 Auction, held in London, witnessed several notable signings. One of the most talked-about deals came when Sunrisers Leeds secured the services of Pakistani spinner Abrar Ahmed for approximately ₹2.34 crore.
The franchise reportedly outbid Trent Rockets to bring the talented leg-spinner into their squad. The auction room also saw the presence of Kavya Maran, who attended the event alongside the team’s head coach Daniel Vettori.
Abrar Ahmed is widely regarded as a highly skilled spinner in the shorter formats of the game, and his inclusion was seen as a strategic move by the franchise to strengthen their bowling attack for the upcoming season.
Key Details of the Signing
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Player | Abrar Ahmed |
| Nationality | Pakistan |
| Role | Leg-spin Bowler |
| Franchise | Sunrisers Leeds |
| Auction Price | Approx. ₹2.34 Crore |
| Event | The Hundred 2026 Auction |
| Venue | London |
Team’s X Account Suspended After Auction
Shortly after the auction ended, the official X account of Sunrisers Leeds was suddenly suspended. The exact reason behind the suspension has not yet been publicly disclosed.
The development added further intrigue to an already controversial situation. Many fans speculated online about possible reasons for the suspension, though no official clarification has been issued either by the franchise or by the platform.
The suspension came only hours after the announcement of Abrar Ahmed’s signing, which had already sparked heated discussions across social media platforms.
Fan Backlash in India
The decision to sign a Pakistani cricketer has drawn criticism from a section of Indian fans. Some social media users voiced strong objections and even called for a boycott of Sunrisers Hyderabad, the Indian Premier League franchise associated with Kavya Maran’s ownership group.
Such reactions highlight the sensitive nature of cricketing ties between India and Pakistan. While players from both nations frequently compete against each other in international tournaments, they rarely appear together in leagues connected to Indian franchises due to political and historical tensions.
However, it is important to note that The Hundred, organized by the England and Wales Cricket Board, is an independent league based in England, where franchises are free to recruit players from around the world.
Daniel Vettori Explains the Team’s Strategy
Following the controversy, head coach Daniel Vettori addressed the media to clarify the decision behind signing Abrar Ahmed.
Vettori explained that England spinner Adil Rashid had been the franchise’s primary target during the auction. However, when the team failed to secure Rashid, the management began exploring other overseas spin options.
“Adil Rashid was our first choice from the beginning,” Vettori said. “But once he was no longer available, we naturally turned our attention to overseas spinners. There were four or five players we were considering, and Abrar Ahmed was one of them. We are very happy to have him in the squad.”
Vettori also dismissed speculation that the franchise had discussed avoiding Pakistani players during the auction process.
According to him, the management’s only objective was to assemble the strongest possible team.
“There was no discussion about not selecting Pakistani players. Our focus was purely on building the best squad available,” he added.
Harry Brook to Lead the Team
For the upcoming season, Harry Brook, England’s T20 captain, will lead Sunrisers Leeds. His leadership and aggressive batting style are expected to play a key role in the team’s campaign in The Hundred 2026.
The combination of Brook’s captaincy and the addition of specialist bowlers like Abrar Ahmed could prove crucial as the franchise aims to make a strong impact in the tournament.
A Rare Moment in Franchise Cricket
The signing of Abrar Ahmed by Sunrisers Leeds marks a rare moment in franchise cricket where a team connected to Indian ownership has signed a Pakistani player. This has inevitably drawn attention both for sporting reasons and for the political sensitivities surrounding India-Pakistan relations in cricket.
While the controversy surrounding Kavya Maran continues to generate debate, the focus will eventually shift to the field when The Hundred 2026 begins.
For now, fans around the world will be watching closely to see how this decision impacts both the franchise and the tournament in the coming season.
