Sunrisers Leeds Sign Abrar Ahmed But Hundred Appearance Remains Uncertain

The decision by Sunrisers Leeds to sign Pakistan leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed has quickly turned into an uncertain proposition, with the player’s participation in The Hundred now hanging in the balance.

Abrar was picked up at the tournament’s recent player auction for GBP 190,000, placing him among the joint-tenth most expensive signings of the draft. The franchise is owned by Kavya Maran, and the selection of a Pakistan international drew criticism on social media soon after the auction concluded.

Despite the backlash online, the larger issue may lie elsewhere. Any player seeking to feature in a franchise competition must first obtain a No Objection Certificate from their national governing body. In Abrar’s case, that approval would come from the Pakistan Cricket Board.

The timing of Pakistan’s international commitments could complicate matters. Pakistan are scheduled to travel to the West Indies for a two-match Test series beginning July 15 and running through August 7. The fixtures fall directly within the window of The Hundred, which is set to be staged between July 21 and August 16.

That overlap means Abrar’s availability is far from guaranteed. Without the necessary NOC from the PCB, the spinner would be unable to represent the Headingley-based side regardless of his auction contract.

A source familiar with the situation suggested that the outcome remains uncertain. According to remarks quoted by the Times of India, Abrar may ultimately miss the tournament because of Pakistan’s Test commitments during the same period.

At the same time, the decision to enter the auction was not made blindly. Abrar’s agent submitted his name alongside other Pakistan internationals, including Haris Rauf and Usman Tariq, indicating a belief that the required clearance could still be obtained.

The same source described the chances of Abrar’s participation as evenly balanced. While the contract value represents a substantial financial opportunity, the PCB’s scheduling priorities may ultimately take precedence.

Abrar’s exposure to overseas franchise cricket remains limited. Beyond his appearances in the Pakistan Super League, he has had only brief stints elsewhere. The leg-spinner featured once in the Bangladesh Premier League for Comilla Victorians and played two matches for San Francisco Unicorns in Major League Cricket during the 2024 season.

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For now, the signing stands, but whether Abrar actually takes the field for Sunrisers Leeds remains unresolved. Much will depend on the PCB’s decision as Pakistan’s international schedule approaches.