Gavaskar Abrar Ahmed signing sparks controversy over Hundred league deal

The Gavaskar Abrar Ahmed signing has created fresh controversy in international cricket. Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar strongly criticized the decision to sign Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed in England’s The Hundred league.

The issue started when a team linked to Sunrisers Hyderabad signed Abrar Ahmed for £190,000. This move triggered a strong reaction on social media and among cricket experts.

Gavaskar, writing in a newspaper column, claimed the Gavaskar Abrar Ahmed signing could have indirect consequences. He said money paid to Pakistani players may go to their government through taxes, which he linked to security concerns.

Pakistan players have not played in the Indian Premier League since 2009. This is due to long-standing political tensions between India and Pakistan.

Before the Hundred auction, there were reports that Pakistan players might face an unofficial ban from IPL-linked teams. However, that did not happen fully, and Abrar Ahmed secured a contract.

Another Pakistani player, Usman Tariq, was also picked by a different team. This shows that some franchises are still open to selecting players based on performance.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) earlier clarified that all teams in the Hundred will select players purely on merit. The board stressed that cricket decisions should remain separate from politics.

India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral cricket series for over a decade. They only face each other in international tournaments, keeping tensions visible in the sport.

Gavaskar ended his remarks by saying there is still time to reconsider such decisions. The Gavaskar Abrar Ahmed signing debate highlights how cricket and politics remain closely linked.