ECB urges Hundred franchises to base picks on merit as Pakistan snub fears grow

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has reportedly written to the eight The Hundred franchises to base their auction picks and selections on merit and reminded them of their responsibility towards non-discrimination in the league.

Reports emerged last week of the possible exclusion of Pakistani players in the auction by franchises with IPL team owners. It is common knowledge that there is a shadow ban on Pakistani players in the IPL after the first edition in 2008, triggered by the Mumbai terror attacks the same year.

With IPL teams now owning stakes in The Hundred franchises, the fears around meting out the same treatment to the Pakistani players in the English competition surfaced last week in a report published by BBC Sport.

Four IPL teams - Mumbai Indians, Lucknow Super Giants, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals - own stakes in four franchises namely MI London, Manchester Super Giants, Sunrisers Leeds and Southern Brave, respectively.

Notably, it is the first time that the auction for The Hundred is being held and, as a matter of fact, out of the 964 players registered for the next month's event, more than 60 of those are Pakistani cricketers. Incidentally, nine Pakistani players have participated in the Hundred so far and the previous edition featured two only - Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim.

Although the ECB cannot direct the franchises to pick a particular set of players, it can act against them if it believes there was any discrimination involved. However, all such allegations would need to be supported by evidence. The head cricket body in the country can dole out its own punishment if proven, or refer the matter to a cricket regulator.

I am hopeful of being picked up: Sahibzada Farhan 

Pakistan star opener Sahibzada Farhan shared his take on the auction amid the atmosphere of uncertainty around Pakistani players' selection. The right-hander stated that he was confident of being picked up and considers the league as one of the best in the world. Incidentally, the 29-year-old has set his base price at GBP 50,000.

"It's not in our hands who picks us and who doesn't. Wherever we get an opportunity and whoever is interested can pick us. We're ready to play that league. I am hopeful of being picked up. Everyone wants to play the best leagues. The Hundred is one of the best leagues. Let's hope for the best," said Farhan.

The auction for the Hundred will be held on March 11 and 12 at Piccadilly Lights in central London.