A major controversy has erupted in the cricketing world following the signing of Pakistani mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed by Sunrisers Leeds for the 2026 edition of The Hundred.
The franchise, owned by the India-based Sun Group (which also owns the IPL’s Sunrisers Hyderabad), secured Abrar for £190,000 (approx. ₹2.34 crore) during the player auction on March 12, 2026.
This move has made Sunrisers the first Indian-owned franchise to sign a Pakistani player since 2009, effectively breaking a long-standing unofficial “shadow ban” following the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
The decision has triggered a massive backlash among Indian cricket fans and social media users.
The outrage is primarily rooted in alleged social media posts by Abrar Ahmed in mid-2025 during a period of heightened tensions (referred to as the “Pahalgam attack” or “Operation Sindoor” period).
Fans have accused Abrar of mocking the Indian Armed Forces in these posts, leading to viral hashtags like #ShameOnSRH and #BoycottSunrisers. Many argue that by offering a lucrative contract to the player, the franchise owners have ignored national sentiment.
In a dramatic turn of events, the official X (formerly Twitter) account of Sunrisers Leeds was suspended shortly after the announcement. While X has not provided an official reason, the suspension coincided with the intense online backlash and calls for a boycott.
Franchise CEO Kavya Maran, who was seen personally raising the paddle for Abrar at the auction, has faced significant personal trolling and criticism from fans.
The BCCI has distanced itself from the controversy. Vice-president Rajeev Shukla clarified that the board has no authority over overseas leagues like The Hundred, stating, “It doesn’t concern us. It’s not the IPL. What happens in foreign leagues is their decision.”
Meanwhile, Sunrisers Leeds head coach Daniel Vettori defended the move, stating the team was focused purely on cricketing merit after missing out on other targets like Adil Rashid.
As of now, the Sunrisers franchise has not issued an official statement regarding the public outcry
While Sunrisers Leeds may have secured a world-class spinner on paper, the cost to their brand reputation in India has been immediate and severe. The incident highlights the thin line Indian owners must walk when balancing global franchise ambitions with deep-seated national emotions. Whether Abrar actually takes the field in July or if the franchise bows to public pressure remains a developing story that could redefine how Indian-owned teams operate in international leagues.
