Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has stirred controversy after criticising the signing of Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed by an Indian-owned franchise in The Hundred.

Abrar was picked up for £190,000 by Sunrisers Leeds, a team linked to the same ownership group as Sunrisers Hyderabad. The move triggered strong reactions on social media, given the long-standing political tensions between India and Pakistan.

In his column for Mid-Day, Gavaskar argued that payments made to Pakistani players could indirectly benefit Pakistan’s government through taxes, which he controversially linked to harm against Indian soldiers and civilians. He stressed that even if payments are made by overseas subsidiaries, Indian ownership still connects them to the issue.

Pakistan players have not featured in the IPL since 2009 due to strained relations between the two countries, and the two sides have not played a bilateral cricket series in over a decade. This history had led to speculation that Pakistan players might be avoided by IPL-linked teams during The Hundred auction, although that did not fully happen.

Among other developments, Usman Tariq was the only other Pakistani player signed, joining Birmingham Phoenix. Meanwhile, the England and Wales Cricket Board reiterated that player selection in the tournament must be based solely on merit and not nationality.

Gavaskar concluded by suggesting that the decision could still be reconsidered, expressing hope that “wiser decisions” would prevail.