The selection of Pakistani leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed by SunRisers Leeds during the 2026 men’s The Hundred auction has sparked a strong reaction among some Indian cricket fans on social media.
The franchise, which is part of the Sun Group’s cricket investments and linked to the Sunrisers Hyderabad ownership structure, reportedly signed the 22-year-old spinner for £190,000. The move marks one of the early instances of an Indian-backed franchise selecting a Pakistani cricketer in an overseas T20 league auction, making it a widely discussed development in international cricket circles.
While many cricket analysts view the signing as a purely sporting decision based on talent and performance, the pick quickly turned into a controversial topic online due to past social media posts linked to the player.
Who Is Abrar Ahmed? Rising Star of Pakistan Spin Bowling
Abrar Ahmed has emerged as one of Pakistan’s promising spin bowlers in recent years. Known for his deceptive leg-spin and sharp variations, he gained international attention after impressive performances in domestic and international cricket.
The young spinner built his reputation through:
- Strong performances in Pakistan’s domestic tournaments
- Effective leg-spin variations that trouble batters
- Rapid rise into the national team setup
Many cricket experts consider Abrar Ahmed a valuable addition to franchise leagues because leg-spinners often play a crucial role in shorter formats like T20 cricket.
For SunRisers Leeds, signing a young spinner with international exposure is seen as an attempt to strengthen their bowling attack for The Hundred 2026 season.
The Hundred League and Global Player Auctions
The Hundred is one of the newest cricket tournaments in the world. Organized by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), the league features eight city-based franchises competing in a unique 100-ball cricket format.
Since its launch, The Hundred has attracted international players from across the cricketing world. Franchises frequently recruit players through auctions and drafts that bring together talent from multiple countries.
The 2026 auction included several international signings, but Abrar Ahmed’s selection quickly became one of the most talked-about picks.
Social Media Controversy Linked to 2019 Incident
The backlash surrounding Abrar Ahmed’s signing is connected to a previous Instagram post that resurfaced online. Some Indian fans accused the cricketer of mocking Abhinandan Varthaman through a caption referring to “evening tea.”
The phrase references a widely publicized moment from 2019 when the Indian pilot was captured by Pakistan following aerial tensions between the two countries. The pilot was later released and returned to India, but the incident remains a sensitive topic in public discussions.
After the signing news spread, some social media users criticized the franchise for choosing the player, arguing that the past post was disrespectful.
This reaction led to calls for boycotts directed toward the SunRisers cricket brand.
Boycott Calls Target Sunrisers Hyderabad and Team Management
The criticism soon expanded beyond the overseas franchise to include the Indian Premier League team Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Some users on social media platforms urged fans to boycott the IPL franchise and expressed dissatisfaction with the decision taken by the Sun Group’s cricket operations. The controversy also brought attention to Kavya Maran, who heads the franchise management.
However, many cricket observers noted that international franchise leagues often sign players based purely on sporting merit, regardless of nationality or political tensions.
SunRisers Leeds X Account Appears Suspended
As the online debate intensified, another unexpected development occurred.
By Friday morning, the official X (formerly Twitter) account of SunRisers Leeds appeared to be suspended. The account reportedly disappeared after what many believe were mass reports from users.
At the time of writing, no official confirmation has been provided by X regarding the suspension, and it remains unclear whether the action was directly related to the controversy.
The franchise has also not issued a public statement addressing the situation.
BCCI and Franchise Remain Silent
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not commented on the issue so far.
Similarly, neither SunRisers Leeds nor Sunrisers Hyderabad has released an official explanation regarding the signing or the social media reaction.
Cricket experts point out that The Hundred league operates under the England and Wales Cricket Board, meaning decisions related to player recruitment fall outside the jurisdiction of the BCCI.
Therefore, Indian cricket authorities typically do not intervene in such international franchise signings.
Debate Over Sports and Politics
The controversy has once again raised a familiar debate in cricket should sports remain separate from political tensions?
India and Pakistan share one of the most intense rivalries in world cricket, and bilateral series between the two nations have been largely suspended for years due to political reasons.
However, players from both countries regularly participate in international tournaments and global franchise leagues, where teams are assembled from multiple nations.
Supporters of the signing argue that:
- Franchise leagues prioritize sporting talent
- International tournaments bring players from many countries together
- Cricket should remain separate from political disputes
Meanwhile, critics believe teams should be sensitive to public sentiment, especially regarding historical events that remain emotionally significant.
What This Means for The Hundred 2026 Season
Despite the controversy, Abrar Ahmed is still expected to participate in The Hundred 2026 season if the contract proceeds as planned.
His performance will likely be closely watched by fans and analysts, both for his cricketing abilities and the wider attention surrounding the signing.
For SunRisers Leeds, the focus will remain on building a competitive squad capable of performing strongly in the tournament.
Conclusion
The signing of Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed by SunRisers Leeds for £190,000 in The Hundred 2026 auction has quickly turned into one of the most debated moments in franchise cricket this year.
While the decision reflects the global nature of modern cricket leagues, the resurfacing of past social media content has triggered criticism and calls for boycotts among some fans.
As preparations continue for the next season of The Hundred, the spotlight will remain on both the player and the franchise to see how the situation develops.
Read More: IPL 2026 Captains Photoshoot in New Delhi: BCCI Brings Team Leaders Together Ahead of Season Kickoff
