Abrar Ahmed might not feature in the upcoming The Hundred 2026 season despite being picked by Sunrisers Leeds during the player auction.
The mystery spinner was signed for £190,000 (around ₹2.34 crore) following a bidding battle with Trent Rockets. His signing attracted major attention as it marked one of the rare instances where a team linked to an IPL franchise invested in a Pakistani player in an international T20 league.
The move also sparked discussions on social media, with many reactions directed toward Kavya Maran, whose franchise network includes Sunrisers Hyderabad and its sister teams.
NOC From PCB Required
Despite being drafted, Abrar’s participation in the tournament remains uncertain. The spinner will need a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Pakistan Cricket Board to take part in the competition.
If he is selected for Pakistan’s upcoming tour of the West Indies, the PCB may not grant the NOC, forcing him to skip the tournament.
Schedule Clash With Pakistan’s West Indies Tour
Pakistan are scheduled to tour the Caribbean from July 15 to August 7, 2026, for a two-match Test series against the West Indies national cricket team as part of the ICC World Test Championship cycle.
The first Test will be played at the Queen’s Park Oval, while the warm-up match and the second Test will take place at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.
Meanwhile, The Hundred 2026 is scheduled to run from July 21 to August 16, which significantly overlaps with Pakistan’s tour schedule. As a result, if Abrar is included in the Test squad, he may have no option but to withdraw from the tournament.
Selection Decision Could Determine His Participation
According to reports, Abrar’s availability will largely depend on whether the Pakistan team management selects him for the West Indies series. If he is not part of the Test squad, the PCB could grant him permission to participate in the league.
Daniel Vettori Explains Sunrisers’ Interest
Daniel Vettori, head coach of Sunrisers Hyderabad, recently explained why the franchise-backed team targeted Abrar during the draft.
Vettori revealed that the team initially aimed to sign Adil Rashid but shifted focus after missing out on the England spinner.
The franchise then explored other overseas spin options and eventually secured Abrar Ahmed. Vettori added that the team is delighted to have the Pakistani leg-spinner and is eager to see what he can deliver if he becomes available for the tournament.
