NEW DELHI: The signing of Pakistan thriller spinner Abrar Ahmed by Sunrisers Leeds on the 2026 participant public sale created a storm on social media in India, however head coach Daniel Vettori has defined that the transfer was purely a cricketing resolution after the franchise missed out on England star Adil Rashid.Go Past The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Sunrisers Leeds, owned by the Solar TV Community, secured Abrar for USD 255,000 on the inaugural males’s public sale for The Hundred, making him the primary Pakistani participant to be picked by an Indian-owned franchise within the event. The choice drew criticism from some followers in India, who questioned the transfer and focused franchise proprietor Kavya Maran on social media.Talking after the public sale, Vettori stated the workforce’s technique modified after Rashid was snapped up by Southern Courageous.ALSO READ: Sunrisers Leeds’ official X account suspended shortly after signing Abrar Ahmed“As soon as we missed out on Adil Rashid, who was a precedence early on, then we clearly jumped into the abroad spinner market. There have been 4 or 5 guys we have been , and Abrar was one in all them. More than happy to get him,” Vettori stated.He careworn that there had been no inner discussions about avoiding Pakistani gamers regardless of earlier experiences suggesting a doable shadow ban for Indian-owned groups.“We simply deliberate for everybody who was on the public sale. There wasn’t a dialogue about not choosing Pakistan gamers. It was merely about who was the best choice accessible,” he defined.Vettori added that the franchise had recognized a number of abroad spinners, together with Usman Tariq and Rishad Hossain, earlier than finally deciding on Abrar.“It’s a little bit of a thriller. Many English gamers haven’t seen him a lot. He just lately performed in opposition to Australia and the suggestions from their gamers was that he’s tough to face, with numerous variations and the power to strike within the powerplay and thru the center overs,” Vettori stated.In accordance with the previous New Zealand captain, Abrar’s skillset could possibly be significantly helpful at Headingley Cricket Floor, the place spinners have traditionally performed a decisive position.“Spinners have been those who succeed there. Having somebody like Abrar might make a giant distinction for us,” he added.