Michael Vaughan Demands ECB Action Over IPL-Linked Teams ‘Not Considering Pakistan Players’ for The Hundred
Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan has issued a forceful call for the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to intervene following reports that four teams in The Hundred connected to Indian Premier League franchises will not be considering Pakistani players for their squads. This development comes after the ECB sold its 49% stake in each of the eight participating teams ahead of the 2026 season, resulting in half of the tournament's teams being at least partially owned by IPL entities.
IPL Ownership and Rebranding in The Hundred
Three of these IPL-linked teams—Manchester Super Giants, MI London, and Sunrisers Leeds—have undergone rebranding to align more closely with their counterparts in other global franchise leagues. The IPL has maintained a policy of not selecting Pakistani players since 2009, a stance rooted in the ongoing political tensions between India and Pakistan. According to reports from the BBC and The Telegraph, teams in The Hundred that are wholly or partly owned by companies controlling IPL teams are now adopting a similar approach, reportedly avoiding Pakistani players to prevent potential political backlash.
A Global Trend in Franchise Cricket
This pattern is not isolated to English cricket. It reflects a concerning global trend where Indian-owned franchises in other leagues also exclude Pakistani talent. For instance, no Pakistani players have participated in South Africa's SA20 league, launched in 2023, where all six teams are owned by IPL franchise groups. Similarly, in the UAE's ILT20, franchises controlled by the owners of MI London and Southern Brave have not signed a single Pakistani player across four seasons, highlighting a broader issue in international franchise cricket.
Vaughan's Social Media Appeal
Michael Vaughan took to social media platform X to express his concerns, urging the ECB to take swift action to preserve The Hundred as an inclusive competition. In response to The Telegraph's article, Vaughan wrote: “The ECB need to act fast on this. They own the league and this should not be allowed to happen. The most inclusive sport in the country is not one that allows this to happen.” His statement underscores the ECB's overarching control of The Hundred, which remains intact despite the sale of its stakes in the individual teams.
ECB's Governance and Regulatory Framework
The ECB retains ultimate authority over the competition, though a new board including team representatives has been established to guide its strategic direction. Additionally, The Hundred falls under the jurisdiction of the independent cricket regulator, created after the 2023 Equity in Cricket report uncovered “widespread” discrimination within English cricket. This regulatory oversight adds a layer of accountability to ensure fairness and inclusivity in the league.
ECB's Stance on Anti-Discrimination
ECB chief executive Richard Gould has emphasized that The Hundred operates under “clear anti-discrimination policies.” Last year, he stated that he expected “players from all nations to be selected for all teams.” An ECB spokesperson reinforced this commitment, noting: “The Hundred welcomes men’s and women’s players from all over the world and we would expect the eight teams to reflect that in The Hundred Auction. Almost 1,000 cricketers from 18 nations have registered for The Hundred Auction, with representation on the longlist of over 50 players respectively from Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Pakistan and West Indies.”
The situation raises critical questions about the balance between commercial interests, political sensitivities, and the principles of inclusivity in modern cricket, with Vaughan's call spotlighting the need for proactive measures from the governing body.
