A single signing has turned into a major talking point in the cricket world. Sunrisers Leeds are under heavy criticism after picking Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed in the recent auction for The Hundred.
The franchise, owned by an Indian media group that also runs an IPL team, bought Abrar Ahmed for GBP 190,000 (around Rs 2.34 crore). While the move may look like a normal cricketing decision, it has sparked anger online, especially after last year’s Pahalgam te*ror att@ck.
Abrar Ahmed brings solid experience, having played 10 Tests, 16 ODIs and 38 T20Is for Pakistan. Still, many fans questioned the decision, given the sensitive relationship between India and Pakistan.
Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar said the backlash was not surprising at all. He pointed out that since the 2008 Mumbai att@cks, the Indian Premier League teams have stayed away from signing Pakistani players.
Speaking about the current situation, Gavaskar explained that people today are more aware and concerned about where money flows. He said many believe that payments made to players from across the border could indirectly support systems that might result in the ki*ling of Indian soldiers and civilians. This thinking, he noted, has made Indian organisations more cautious, not just in cricket but also in entertainment.
Sunrisers Leeds head coach Daniel Vettori later shared that Abrar Ahmed was not the only Pakistani player they were considering. Sunil Gavaskar responded by saying that while Daniel Vettori, being from New Zealand, might not fully understand the emotional and political situation, the responsibility lies with the franchise owners.
He stressed that ownership matters more than location and decisions like these should be taken carefully. In simple terms, he questioned whether winning a tournament is more important than the sentiments and concerns of people back home.
Sunil Gavaskar also warned that this decision could lead to visible protests. According to him, fans may show their anger not just online but also at stadiums. He suggested that demonstrations could happen during matches, whether the team plays at home or away. He even said that fans might choose to stay away from games to express their disappointment, despite the presence of exciting players in the squad.
Finally, Sunil Gavaskar advised the franchise to rethink their decision. He believes there is still time to correct the situation before the tournament begins and that wiser thinking could help avoid further controversy.
For now, Sunrisers Leeds remain at the centre of a growing debate where cricket, politics and public sentiment have all come together.
