Controversy Surrounds Abrar Ahmed's Signing by Sunrisers Leeds

Backlash Over Abrar Ahmed's Selection

A source from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has shared insights into Abrar Ahmed's response to the criticism following his selection for Sunrisers Leeds. The franchise's decision to acquire Abrar during The Hundred auction sparked significant controversy in India. Sunrisers Leeds, affiliated with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), secured Abrar for £190,000, a move that did not resonate well with Indian fans due to the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan. Renowned cricketer Sunil Gavaskar also expressed his disapproval, stating that SRH's choice was misguided. He noted that the uproar surrounding the signing of a Pakistani player by an Indian-owned franchise is not unexpected, especially given the historical context since the Mumbai attacks in 2008. Gavaskar emphasized that payments made to Pakistani players indirectly support a government that contributes to violence against Indian citizens.

PCB Source Comments on Abrar's Reaction

Despite the backlash, a report from Telecom Asia Sport, citing a PCB source, indicated that Abrar Ahmed is unfazed by the criticism from India. The source mentioned, “The noise surrounding Abrar's signing is not surprising, but he is not losing sleep over the uproar.” It was noted that Abrar registered for The Hundred to expand his opportunities in global leagues, having earned his spot as one of the top three bowlers in T20I rankings. Sunrisers Leeds coach Daniel Vettori communicated the signing to Abrar and encouraged him to stay connected and perform at his best. Vettori explained that after missing out on Adil Rashid, they were eager to secure Abrar, highlighting that there was no intention to avoid Pakistani players in their selection process.