Michael Vaughan has urged the England and Wales Cricket Board to “act fast” over reports that Indian-owned franchises in The Hundred may sideline Pakistani players at April’s auction.
The former England captain has long been an advocate for diversity in cricket, and his latest tweet has added weight to growing concerns around player selection ahead of the upcoming auction.
Vaughan’s comments strike at the heart of what many see as The Hundred’s original purpose and its future credibility.
Michael Vaughan calls on the ECB to intervene over the Pakistan players’ controversy
In a post shared on X, Vaughan said, “The ECB needs to act fast on this. They own the league and this should not be allowed to happen. The most inclusive sport in the country is not one that allows this to happen.”
The remarks came amid reports that four of the eight Hundred teams, Manchester Super Giants, Sunrisers Leeds, MI London, and Southern Brave, now partly owned by Indian Premier League investors, are unlikely to bid for Pakistani players during the March 11-12 auction.
Critics argue that such patterns undermine the competition’s ethos of diversity and discourage a community of supporters with deep ties to Pakistan cricket.
Vaughan was also frank in his critique of how the ECB has responded so far, suggesting that the upcoming auction will be a true test of the board’s commitment to inclusivity and the sport’s appeal across all supporter demographics.
Why the Pakistan players’ debate has become so contentious
Reports leading into this year’s Hundred auction show that despite more than 60 Pakistani cricketers registering for the draft, teams with IPL-linked ownership may avoid selecting them.
Such patterns echo the absence of Pakistan players in the Indian Premier League since 2008, a trend shaped by geopolitical and cricketing tensions that have often complicated player movement across leagues.
Critics of this developing reality argue that refusing to bid for Pakistani talent not only limits opportunities for world-class players but also sends a worrying message about the sport’s openness.
Several figures, including England captain Harry Brook, have described the potential exclusion as a “shame” given the quality and global reputation of Pakistani cricketers.
The ECB has previously stated that investments by IPL franchises should not affect the participation of players from Pakistan, emphasising that The Hundred remains an international competition open to all nationalities.
With the auction now weeks away, Vaughan’s challenge adds urgency to a debate that could define how The Hundred balances commercial interests with its stated mission of inclusivity.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
