The Hundred 2026 auctions are underway, with the women’s auction concluding on Wednesday, while the men’s auction will take place on Thursday. No Pakistan cricketer was sold in The Hundred 2026 auction for women. While previous reports suggested that IPL-linked franchises won’t bid for any Pakistan player, The Hundred coaches have junked those rumours and have claimed that they are looking to sign the best players available and not ignore them based on nationality.

Will Pakistan players be picked in The Hundred?

Two Pakistan women cricketers were a part of The Hundred 2026 women’s auction on Wednesday but weren’t picked by any of the 8 franchises. Adi Birell, who is the coach of the Sunrisers Leeds women’s team, has claimed that he has never been told to not sign Pakistan players. He went on to claim that other franchises have no hesitation in bidding for Pakistan players and that the men’s auction could see the IPL-linked teams go after them on Thursday.

“No, I haven’t. I’m sure there will be some interest in some players tomorrow. I think so, but I don’t know. I presume so. I haven’t heard that they won’t bid for them,” Birell said.

Southern Brave head coach Jonathan Batty echoed similar sentiments, noting that the franchise had simply been asked to sign the best players and weren’t forced to boycott any Pakistan player.

“The only thing I’ve been told is ‘sign the best players to make this the best squad you possibly can.’ We’ve had no other instructions than that and we’ve had total autonomy on who we sign. That’s how it’s been with the women’s team,” Batty said.

Earlier, a BBC report suggested that four Indian Premier League (IPL)-linked franchises, MI London (Reliance Industries), Manchester Super Giants (RPSG Group), Southern Brave (GMR Group), and Sunrisers Leeds (Sun TV), won’t bid for any Pakistani cricketers.