The Hundred 2025 Snub: Why Pakistani Players Are Missing
For the first time in its five-year history, The Hundred will feature zero Pakistani players after all 45 registrants went undrafted. While speculation swirls about IPL franchise influence (four teams now owned by IPL entities), deeper issues like PCB mismanagement, scheduling clashes, and Pakistan’s declining T20 stock paint a fuller picture.
1. IPL Franchise Ownership: A Shadow Over Pakistani Talent
- IPL’s Global Footprint: Leagues like SA20, ILT20, and MLC (all with IPL-owned teams) rarely pick Pakistani players.
- The Hundred’s New Owners: Four teams now linked to IPL franchises (e.g., Rajasthan Royals’ parent company owns London Spirit).
- Historical Exclusion: No Pakistani in IPL since 2008; satellite leagues follow suit.
Key Quote:
“Nobody says there’s a formal ban, but patterns don’t lie.”
2. Scheduling Chaos: Clashes with International Duty
- August Fixtures:
- West Indies Tour: 3 ODIs, 3 T20Is (early August).
- Afghanistan Series: Starts mid-August.
- Asia Cup: September 2025.
- T20 World Cup 2026: PCB prioritizes national camps over leagues.
Result: Top players like Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi unavailable for The Hundred.
3. PCB’s Self-Sabotage: NOC Nightmares
- Workload Management Failures:
- Naseem Shah (2024): NOC revoked for The Hundred despite no int’l games; played just 3/9 Tests.
- Shaheen Afridi: Denied GT20 Canada; played 2/9 Tests.
- Unreliable Policies: Sudden NOC cancellations, unscheduled series, and last-minute fitness recalls.
Impact: Franchises avoid Pakistani players due to PCB’s unpredictability.
4. Pakistan’s T20 Decline: Outdated and Unmarketable
- ICC Tournament Flops: Group-stage exits in 2023 Asia Cup, 2023 World Cup, 2024 T20 World Cup.
- Player Reputation: Once-hot stars like Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman now deemed “risky” picks.
- Contrast: Afghan players thrive globally (e.g., Rashid Khan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz).
5. Broader Implications: A Dangerous Precedent
- PSL vs. IPL Clash: Could Pakistan’s league suffer if IPL expands further?
- Political Tensions: India-Pakistan relations freeze out cross-border opportunities.
- ECB’s Hypocrisy: Richard Gould’s NOC policy protects IPL but restricts PSL.
“Pakistani players excluded The Hundred 2025”“IPL franchise ownership in The Hundred”
“PCB NOC policy failures”
“Pakistan cricket schedule clashes”
“T20 World Cup 2026 preparations”
What’s Next for Pakistan Cricket?
- PCB Reforms: Transparent NOC rules, calendar alignment with leagues.
- Player Development: Modernize tactics to match global T20 trends.
- Diplomatic Push: Lobby leagues for inclusivity despite political hurdles.
Final Thought:
While IPL influence looms, Pakistan’s absence from The Hundred stems largely from self-inflicted wounds. Without PCB reforms, Pakistani talent risks fading into cricketing obscurity.
Join the Debate:
👉 Can PCB salvage its T20 reputation? Share your views with #PakCricket #TheHundred2025.
