Sunrisers Leeds Faces Social Media Backlash After Controversial Signing
Sunrisers Leeds' X Account Suspension
On March 12, Sunrisers Leeds, under the leadership of CEO Kavya Maran, had its official X (formerly Twitter) account suspended. This incident occurred shortly after the franchise participated in The Hundred 2026 Auction held at Piccadilly Lights in London.
Auction Highlights and Player Acquisitions
As part of the Sunrisers Hyderabad franchise in the Indian Premier League, Sunrisers Leeds utilized £1.01 million of their £1.1 million budget to sign 11 players, completing their 15-member squad. Prior to the auction, they had already allocated £950,000 from their total budget of £2.05 million to secure four players, including Harry Brook, Mitchell Marsh, Nathan Ellis, and Brydon Carse.
Dan Lawrence: The Most Expensive Signing
During the auction, the franchise made headlines by acquiring English cricketer Dan Lawrence for £210,000, marking him as their most expensive signing.
Social Media Backlash Over Abrar Ahmed's Signing
Following the auction, Sunrisers Leeds faced intense criticism on social media, particularly on X, after signing Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed for £190,000 (INR 2.34 Crore). This made him one of only two Pakistani players signed during the auction, the other being Usman Tariq, who was acquired by Birmingham Phoenix for £140,000 (INR 1.72 Crore).
The acquisition sparked outrage, with many questioning the decision of Indian-owned franchises to sign a Pakistani player amidst ongoing political tensions between India and Pakistan, especially after the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025.
Political Context and Franchise Reactions
The Indian-owned franchises in The Hundred, including Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Sunrisers Leeds, and Southern Brave, had reportedly imposed a 'shadow ban' on Pakistani players. However, the England and Wales Cricket Board's commitment to non-discrimination allowed Sunrisers Leeds to proceed with signing Abrar Ahmed, defying previous assumptions.
The backlash intensified as fans expressed their discontent, leading to a wave of mass reporting that likely resulted in the suspension of Sunrisers Leeds' X account.
Consequences of the Backlash
The franchise's decision to sign Abrar Ahmed led to trending hashtags like #BoycottSunrisers and #ShameOnSRH on X, with calls for action against the franchise. Indian cricket fans urged a boycott of Sunrisers Hyderabad ahead of the IPL 2026 season.
Despite the uproar, X Corp has not provided an official explanation for the suspension of Sunrisers Leeds' account, which may have been triggered by the high volume of reports against it.
Future of Sunrisers Leeds' X Account
It remains uncertain when Sunrisers Leeds' X account will be reinstated, as X Corp has yet to clarify the reasons behind the suspension.