According to multiple sources, several Pakistani players are reportedly not under consideration by the Indian backed teams ahead of next month’s tournament a development widely viewed as a reflection of persistent India‑Pakistan political tensions spilling over into the cricketing arena.

Of the eight The Hundred franchises, four Manchester Originals, MI London, Southern Brave and Sunrisers Leeds have at least partial ownership links to Indian Premier League (IPL) investors.

Insiders informed the BBC that one England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) official quietly indicated Pakistani players are attracting interest only from teams with no IPL connections a pattern described by one agent as an ‘unwritten code’ operating across international franchises with Indian capital.

ECB chief executive Richard Gould had publicly stated last year that all teams were expected to select talent from across the globe and that The Hundred upheld a robust anti discrimination policy.

In response, Manchester Originals deputy chair James Sheridan told the BBC his franchise would simply pursue the ‘best available cricketers’ to maximise its chances of victory, while the other IPL linked groups declined to comment.

An ECB spokesperson reiterated that The Hundred is designed to be a globally inclusive competition, welcoming men and women from all cricketing nations.

In the most recent edition, Pakistani pacers Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim featured, while veterans Shahid Afridi, Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf participated in earlier men’s tournaments. No Pakistani female players have yet competed in the women’s Hundred.

Currently ranked sixth in the ICC men’s T20 standings and eighth in women’s, Pakistan’s national teams will be in action in a Test series in the West Indies during The Hundred, though many white‑ball specialists will be available for selection.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has historically taken a stringent stance on issuing No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for foreign leagues, yet recent participation of seven Pakistani players in the Australian Big Bash League suggests some flexibility.

Experts warn that marginalising Pakistani players in franchises with Indian investment not only undermines the spirit of fair play but also underscores deepening political and commercial fissures within global cricket.

Vaughan insists the ECB must act swiftly to ensure equitable opportunities for all cricketers, or risk further limiting Pakistani participation on the international franchise stage.

The World Cricketers’ Association (WCA) CEO, Tom Moffat, echoed the sentiment, affirming that all players should be afforded opportunities based on merit, underpinned by principles of fairness and equality.

Analysts suggest the absence of Pakistani representation in The Hundred also counteracts the ECB’s efforts to strengthen ties with South Asian communities in key cities like Manchester, Leeds and London, where Pakistanis make up a significant demographic.

With calls for transparency gaining momentum, the stage is set for a broader debate on inclusion, nationalism and the future of franchise cricket in a politically charged era.