Gavaskar Slams Sunrisers Over Abrar Ahmed Signing Row
- By Thetripurapost Desk, Mumbai
- Mar 16, 2026
- 647
The signing of Pakistani mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed by Sunrisers Leeds for the English T20 competition The Hundred has triggered a major controversy. Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar has sharply criticized the move by the Indian-owned franchise.
Gavaskar stated that Indian franchise owners purchasing Pakistani players is akin to “playing with the lives of Indians” and urged them to refrain from such decisions. Abrar Ahmed was acquired for ₹2.34 crore during the auction held in London on March 13.
The Sunrisers group also owns the IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad and the SA20 side Sunrisers Eastern Cape. The franchise is led by CEO Kavya Maran.
Pakistani cricketers have not participated in the Indian Premier League since its inaugural 2008 season. Following the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, Pakistani players were effectively barred from the IPL.
Traditionally, Indian franchises that own teams in overseas leagues avoid signing Pakistani players. However, Sunrisers broke from this unwritten convention.
“Money buys weapons” – Gavaskar
In his column for Mid-Day, Gavaskar argued that Indian team owners should refrain from recruiting Pakistani cricketers. He said the controversy surrounding an Indian-owned franchise signing a Pakistani player in The Hundred was unsurprising.
According to him, when a Pakistani player receives payment and subsequently pays taxes in Pakistan, that money ultimately reaches the government, which could potentially be used to purchase weapons.
He warned that such financial flows could indirectly contribute to the deaths of Indian soldiers and civilians. Gavaskar noted that similar concerns have previously led Indian organizations to avoid featuring Pakistani artists and athletes.
He also cautioned that the decision could provoke strong reactions from Indian fans, possibly leading to protests whenever the team plays matches, both domestically and abroad.
Gavaskar further suggested that even a team packed with star batsmen might struggle to attract spectators if fans boycott matches in protest. He concluded by stating that the issue could still be rectified and expressed hope that the franchise would take a wiser decision.
BCCI: No Authority to Intervene
Board of Control for Cricket in India Vice-President Rajeev Shukla said the board cannot intervene in the matter since it concerns a foreign league. The final decision, he clarified, rests solely with the franchise.
Another Pakistani Player Sold
Another Pakistani cricketer, mystery spinner Usman Tariq, was sold to Birmingham Phoenix for £140,000 (approximately ₹1.72 crore).
However, Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf and off-spin all-rounder Saim Ayub went unsold at the auction.
Earlier Controversy Over Mustafizur Rahman
A similar controversy had earlier erupted when Kolkata Knight Riders purchased Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman for ₹9.20 crore in the IPL 2026 mini-auction held in Abu Dhabi on December 16, 2025.
Following protests in India related to violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, the player was released at the request of the BCCI. In response, the Bangladeshi government banned the broadcast of the IPL in their country.
Bangladesh subsequently refused to participate in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup scheduled in India, leading the International Cricket Council to expel them from the tournament. Scotland national cricket team was included as a replacement.
The Pakistani government also initially boycotted its T20 World Cup match against India. However, following mediation by the Sri Lanka President, Pakistan eventually approved participation.
In the match played in Colombo on February 15, the India national cricket team defeated the Pakistan national cricket team by 61 runs, with Ishan Kishan scoring a half-century.