Pakistan star reacts to potential Hundred exclusion amid rising tensions with India

Pakistani cricketer Sahibzada Farhan has expressed a pragmatic position regarding nan imaginable removal of his compatriots from The Hundred, contempt a caller study suggesting Indian-owned teams would not see them.

His comments travel arsenic nan England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) issued a stern informing against favoritism based connected nationality.

A BBC study past week sent shockwaves done nan cricketing world, alleging that 4 India-owned franchises – MI London, Manchester Super Giants, Southern Brave, and Sunrisers Leeds – would not prime immoderate Pakistani players for nan upcoming auction.

In response, nan ECB stated connected Sunday that disciplinary action would beryllium taken against immoderate of nan 8 franchises recovered to beryllium ignoring players owed to their nationality.

Farhan, 1 of 13 players from Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad entering adjacent month’s auction, remained philosophical.

He said: "This is not successful our hands who picks america aliases who doesn’t. Whichever squad is willing successful picking america tin and we are fresh to play successful that league. It’s not for illustration group are not willing successful us."

Former skipper Babar Azam and reserve opener Fakhar Zaman are notable exceptions, not entering nan auction.

Geopolitical tensions betwixt India and Pakistan person agelong formed a protector complete cricket, notably pinch an effective broad prohibition connected Pakistani players successful nan Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2009.

This compression connected opportunities has intensified arsenic respective IPL owners person acquired home franchises abroad, including successful South Africa’s SA20 and nan ILT20 successful nan United Arab Emirates.

Last year’s Hundred auction saw nary Pakistani players initially selected, though left-arm seamer Mohammad Amir and all-rounder Imad Wasim later featured arsenic replacements.

This was mostly attributed to Pakistan’s engaged summertime schedule, which rendered high-profile players unavailable for parts of nan tourney – a business that mirrors nan existent year.

Pakistan is scheduled to play 2 Tests successful nan West Indies during The Hundred, which runs from 21 July to 16 August.

They are past group to look England successful nan first of 3 Tests conscionable 3 days aft The Hundred final, further complicating subordinate availability.

Despite these challenges, Farhan, nan starring run-scorer astatine nan World Cup, remains optimistic astir being selected astatine nan auction connected 11-12 March.

Speaking up of Tuesday’s Super 8 conflict pinch England successful Pallekele, he added: "I’m very hopeful. Every subordinate wants to play each league, play successful nan bully leagues. The Hundred is 1 of nan champion leagues. So I dream for nan best."