 has issued its first response to the controversy surrounding the signing of Pakistani){kind=link}
Board says it has no authority over Indian-owned franchises in foreign leagues
March 13, 2026: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has issued its first response to the controversy surrounding the signing of Pakistani spinner Abrar Ahmed by Sunrisers Leeds. BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla said the board has no jurisdiction over the decisions of franchises participating in foreign leagues. Speaking to reporters, Shukla clarified that since the signing was made for The Hundred, the BCCI cannot intervene.
Ahmed was signed for £190,000 (around ₹2.34 crore) during the league’s auction, making him the first Pakistani international to join an Indian-owned franchise in the competition. The team is owned by the Sun TV Network, led by Kavya Maran. The group completed a takeover of the Leeds-based franchise last year after purchasing stakes from the England and Wales Cricket Board and Yorkshire County Cricket Club.
The signing has sparked strong reactions online, with critics pointing to past remarks attributed to Ahmed regarding the Indian Armed Forces. Following the backlash, the official account of Sunrisers Leeds on X was reportedly suspended amid a surge of criticism. The franchise management and head coach Daniel Vettori have not yet issued a public statement addressing the controversy.