IPL franchise owners openly being allowed to discriminate in non-Indian leagues?

[aboveandbeyond]

Full credit to our cricket Board who are making sure Politics and Sport cannot mix.

Pakistan players will not be excluded from Hundred, insist ECB and all teams

The ECB and all eight of The Hundred teams have insisted the competition is ‘inclusive and open to all’ amid claims Pakistan players could be frozen out by the Indian-owned franchises

www.theguardian.com

 

[cricketjoshila]

@cricketjoshila but Sarr!!!

No one will openly say we wil bend the law but they bend it

 

[cricketjoshila]

he ECB knows that The Hundred is a loss-making product in the UK. Its only path to profitability is the "India Premium."
The ECB Regulator can issue all the "warnings" they want for the March 12 auction, but they are highly unlikely to actually punish the owners. Doing so would be financial suicide—they would be burning the very bridge thaT is their survival

 

[Red-Indian]

Are we really going to pretend this is a semantics debate about NOCs? Yes, the PCB has used NOCs as leverage before, but they are well-aware of the repercussions of doing such a thing now and would not be pulling Pakistani players from a league like The Hundred if they were picked - unless ofcourse it was a case of national duty... and even that would be for a limited window. They pulled player NOCs before the BBL too, mainly as a cheap scare tactic directed at the players, but fell right in line when it came time for the tournament to begin.

Let's not act like this is what it's about. This is about India and Indians finding more ways to blackball Pakistani players from franchise T20 leagues. I think Indian posters on this forum should have the courage to call a spade a spade instead of making lame excuses, and being apologists for their government at every turn. The Indian government could blow up children's orphanage with a bazooka and some posters here would be telling us how it wasn't a bazooka, but a rocket launcher... and how it was a 'controlled detonation'.

England is not South Africa. It is home to one of the largest British-Pakistani populations in the world. Cities that host Hundred teams - Birmingham, Manchester, London - have deep-rooted South Asian cricket audiences. From a pure business perspective, Pakistani players are an asset in that environment. You can't just sideline Pakistani players and not expect people to speak up.

Also I should say that the while the risk of withdrawals and denial of NOC is not very high, it's not non-existent. Let's say there's a terrorist incident - minor or major in the next couple of months and Sanjiv Goenka (I think he's one of the owners...maybe Manchester) issues some inflammatory statement against Pakistan. It's not unrealistic...a lot of these guys do when they want to seem extra patriotic on their Social Media. Would it be still realistic to expect any Pakistani players, if selected, to play for his team or for the PCB to give them an NOC to play?

Overall I can see the Indian teams just thinking it's not worth the hassle and placing an unrealistic base fee bid or two to maintain appearances.

 

[Devadwal]

@Rana be like ye dard kyu khatam ni hota de deva. Everywhere he is getting phainta.

 

[Rana]

he ECB knows that The Hundred is a loss-making product in the UK. Its only path to profitability is the "India Premium."
The ECB Regulator can issue all the "warnings" they want for the March 12 auction, but they are highly unlikely to actually punish the owners. Doing so would be financial suicide—they would be burning the very bridge thaT is their survival

Financial suicide or whatever

Racism and discrimination has no place in the UK! Get this in your thick head.

 

[Ball Blazer]

will only come to know when their words will meet action

https://twitter.com/x/status/2026567347931345351

 

[Devadwal]

will only come to know when their words will meet action

https://twitter.com/x/status/2026567347931345351

"They won't pick any players from Pakistan because they are useless.

Because you are not eligible for selection based on your performance, so where is the racism in that?

 

[Rana]

will only come to know when their words will meet action

https://twitter.com/x/status/2026567347931345351

Why do they have an elephant in their logo? Is Manchester known for Elephands?

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

I think a lot of Indians, including me, will admit this entire boycott of Pakistani players in every league is obviously childish and petty. I wouldn't go so far as to call it blackballing since there's no pressure on non-Indian teams to not select them but yes it's wrong to take this boycott to foreign leagues.

The fact remains though that picking Pakistani players for Indian owners is high-risk/low reward equation

On the risk side

1. They risk a backlash from right-wing Indian fans. It'll be a social media storm in a teacup but still annoying nevertheless

2. The backlash could get worse if some old social media post from the selected player is dug up. Already a lot of players are persona non-grata. Can you imagine the backlash if an Indian team picked Haris Rauf for example after he mocked crashing Indian planes? Who know which has said something in some forum or some post somewhere. I know I wouldn't want my posts on this forum to be dug up if I ever had a background check from a Pakistani company (and I'm a pretty mild guy)

3. The actual discrimination is difficult to prove and the punishment, if any, when discovered is likely to be light

As far as the reward is concerned, it's not like any of the Pakistani players are Travis Head level superstars who'll make a fundamental difference to the fortunes of a team.

Yes, we are all well-aware of the semantics and real-world political realities. I'm not talking about that, I'm talking about what's right and wrong.

It is one thing for India to decide that Pakistani players will not participate in the IPL. That is entirely understandable. But attempting to extend that exclusion into foreign leagues is an entirely different matter and not right, as you would agree. These competitions are governed by their own boards, commercial structures, and regulatory frameworks. They are not subsidiaries of the IPL, nor are they obliged to mirror India's political positions. There is no legitimate basis for anyone to dictate who the teams in those leagues may or may not sign based on a pleyer's nationality, even if they are owned by Indian owners.

On top of that, the so-called 'shadow ban' is not even consistent to begin with. Pakistani players have participated in the CPL for IPL-linked teams like Trinabago Knight Riders. Usman Tariq just featured for them last season. If such participation is tolerated in one context, what is the basis for objecting to it in a different context?

Global tournaments operate within their own commercial and sporting ecosystems. The idea that participation in an overseas competition requires ideological approval from social media commentators is neither realistic nor reasonable.

And frankly, are we really suggesting that the largest democracy in the world is so institutionally fragile that it must appease a handful of nameless, faceless trolls, whether online or shouting on the streets?

Pakistani players featuring in The Hundred has little to do with any of them being Travis Head–level superstars. In fact The Hundred itself does not consistently attract players of that caliber. What it does have, however, is a substantial British-Pakistani demographic that represents both a commercial and cultural opportunity. Engaging that audience is just good business because it affects viewership, ticket sales, and community connection - all areas the organizers want this tournament to grow in.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Why do they have an elephant in their logo? Is Manchester known for Elephands?

Yeah that;s pretty stupid. The least you could do is adapt the logo to the city you are representing. For instance the Royals added a mountain range to the team logo for Paarl Royals. The Capitals switched the tiger in the Delhi Capitals logo for a lion in the Pretoria Capitals logo. This though is just lazy and stupid.

 

[rpant_gabba]

Global tournaments operate within their own commercial and sporting ecosystems. The idea that participation in an overseas competition requires ideological approval from social media commentators is neither realistic nor reasonable.

Do they? Becos If they did, they wouldn't be chasing after IPL owners and scheduling matches catering to Indian timezones.

And frankly, are we really suggesting that the largest democracy in the world is so institutionally fragile that it must appease a handful of nameless, faceless trolls, whether online or shouting on the streets?

Once again you are resorting to a strawman. If any thing, this is democracy in action. The owners are welcome to make their choices and the public has the right to act against those choices and vote with their wallet. Does it have to with your lack understanding of what a democracy is?

What it does have, however, is a substantial British-Pakistani demographic that represents both a commercial and cultural opportunity. Engaging that audience is just good business because it affects viewership, ticket sales, and community connection - all areas the organizers want this tournament to grow in.

the fan base whose support couldn't generate enough revenue for the Hundred that ECB had to resort to selling the teams to its former colony?

Not sure there is any economic value of the Britistani fanbase to the Hundred. If there is UK business would have scooped up the teams

 

[TNAmarkFromIndia]

Until the Indian franchises actually buy Pakistani players, this is just lip service.

They can just not buy them and then later say, "They were not part of our plans" or "We were not interested in them".

 

[Red-Indian]

Yes, we are all well-aware of the semantics and real-world political realities. I'm not talking about that, I'm talking about what's right and wrong.

It is one thing for India to decide that Pakistani players will not participate in the IPL. That is entirely understandable. But attempting to extend that exclusion into foreign leagues is an entirely different matter and not right, as you would agree. These competitions are governed by their own boards, commercial structures, and regulatory frameworks. They are not subsidiaries of the IPL, nor are they obliged to mirror India's political positions. There is no legitimate basis for anyone to dictate who the teams in those leagues may or may not sign based on a pleyer's nationality, even if they are owned by Indian owners.

On top of that, the so-called 'shadow ban' is not even consistent to begin with. Pakistani players have participated in the CPL for IPL-linked teams like Trinabago Knight Riders. Usman Tariq just featured for them last season. If such participation is tolerated in one context, what is the basis for objecting to it in a different context?

Global tournaments operate within their own commercial and sporting ecosystems. The idea that participation in an overseas competition requires ideological approval from social media commentators is neither realistic nor reasonable.

And frankly, are we really suggesting that the largest democracy in the world is so institutionally fragile that it must appease a handful of nameless, faceless trolls, whether online or shouting on the streets?

Pakistani players featuring in The Hundred has little to do with any of them being Travis Head–level superstars. In fact The Hundred itself does not consistently attract players of that caliber. What it does have, however, is a substantial British-Pakistani demographic that represents both a commercial and cultural opportunity. Engaging that audience is just good business because it affects viewership, ticket sales, and community connection - all areas the organizers want this tournament to grow in.

Maybe I'm wrong but I sense you understand the logic here but are (rightly) frustrated by it.

It's all very well to say giant corporations don't need to appease nameless, faceless trolls but we all very well know the age we live in. I don't know if you remember the story of a lady who made a slightly racist post as she was getting on a flight to Africa and landed several hours later to find out that it had caused a global uproar, she'd lost her job and was essentially unemployable in her field. Corporations have become increasingly risk averse in these matters. It is what it is.

Also while it's true that global tournaments operate within their own commercial and sporting ecosystems, the naming and other branding being adopted by these Indian owners suggest that they see these franchises as extensions of their IPL franchises rather than completely independent entities. Which is why a misstep at one of these might reflect on the larger parent brand.

In the end, I don't think these guys have some sinister plan to marginalise Pakistan and it's cricket. I find it tough to imagine the likes of the Ambanis & GMR group are particularly patriotic. As I said earlier, it's just not worth the risk for them on the offchance that a "Mumbai Indians London" team is suddenly going to get popular among British Pakistanis because they selected a Babar Azam.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Financial suicide or whatever

Racism and discrimination has no place in the UK! Get this in your thick head.

Go sue them and prove racism

 

[Rana]

Go sue them and prove racism

Kar ke dikhao pehle.

Karo apna India wala gand yahaan pehle.

 

[Varun]

Kar ke dikhao pehle.

Karo apna India wala gand yahaan pehle.

The one place besides Pakistan where the Indian owners won't even dare bid for a team, leave alone individual players, is Bangladesh.

Pakistani players are safe in the PSL and BPL.

 

[Pakistan150-0]

Based on the performance of our cricketers who can bid for them

 

[Pakistan150-0]

"They won't pick any players from Pakistan because they are useless.

Because you are not eligible for selection based on your performance, so where is the racism in that?

That's the bitter truth...
Even a Pakistani owner can't bid for them

 

[Rana]

The one place besides Pakistan where the Indian owners won't even dare bid for a team, leave alone individual players, is Bangladesh.

Pakistani players are safe in the PSL and BPL.

Puttar, just demonstrate Racism and discrimination once in England. Then see what happens.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Kar ke dikhao pehle.

Karo apna India wala gand yahaan pehle.

How many pakistanis were picked last year?

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Maybe I'm wrong but I sense you understand the logic here but are (rightly) frustrated by it.

It's all very well to say giant corporations don't need to appease nameless, faceless trolls but we all very well know the age we live in. I don't know if you remember the story of a lady who made a slightly racist post as she was getting on a flight to Africa and landed several hours later to find out that it had caused a global uproar, she'd lost her job and was essentially unemployable in her field. Corporations have become increasingly risk averse in these matters. It is what it is.

Also while it's true that global tournaments operate within their own commercial and sporting ecosystems, the naming and other branding being adopted by these Indian owners suggest that they see these franchises as extensions of their IPL franchises rather than completely independent entities. Which is why a misstep at one of these might reflect on the larger parent brand.

In the end, I don't think these guys have some sinister plan to marginalise Pakistan and it's cricket. I find it tough to imagine the likes of the Ambanis & GMR group are particularly patriotic. As I said earlier, it's just not worth the risk for them on the offchance that a "Mumbai Indians London" team is suddenly going to get popular among British Pakistanis because they selected a Babar Azam.

I understand the logic perfectly well. I've done a post on this:

Post in thread 'Why IPL franchises want to own a team in every league?'

Dec 28, 2025

Good question and I'm surprised why more people haven't asked it.

To me, this is very clearly a long-term strategy. The economics of cricket are being rewired around franchises, and IPL owners are moving early to entrench themselves almost everywhere that the sport has a footprint and economic potential (barring Pakistan ofc). It's about owning the infrastructure: teams, brands, talent pathways, and eventually leverage over scheduling and player movement.

We have seen IPL franchises offer players like Jofra Archer exclusive deals that could put them outside the purview of central...

• RedwoodOriginal

• 

And I'm not even really blaming the owners. I am simply saying that a strategy like this is neither reasonable, nor sustainable. Especially if Indian owners plan to take over every league in the world. But that's okay, we can agree to disagree.

 

[JaDed]

If anything Pakistani cricketers are a good investment they have become mercenaries anyway

 

[RexRex]

Reliance has a 200bn usd india business, their hundred investment in comparison is a paltry 60mn, no sane man will risk 200 bn for 60 mn they are more likely to walkout with their money than risk their base business for ec.

India doesn't have boycott culture; this illusion of outrage is created by hyperactive social media cells .. which are enough to fool the big brands.

 

[JaDed]

India doesn't have boycott culture; this illusion of outrage is created by hyperactive social media cells .. which are enough to fool the big brands.

It does for movies and influencers only not for corporates.

 

[Rajdeep]

Does SRK has any team in Hundreds? This is ideal scenario for him. He can fill his team with all Pakistani players. So much love

 

[Josh]

It does for movies and influencers only not for corporates.

The thing with this specific boycott is that when it comes down to it, trolls from all political affiliations support it.

 

[charlie007]

Why do they have an elephant in their logo? Is Manchester known for Elephands?

Is Sialkot known for Stallions or Multan is the home of Sultans?

 

[charlie007]

This BBC report is actually doing the opposite - it is actually trying to almost blackmail the owners to go bid for almost all incompetent - in my opinion - Pakistani players. Apart from UT, and perhaps Farhan going by his current form, I really don’t see a single Pakistani player worthy of being selected in the Hundred. At least not at this time.

 

[JaDed]

The thing with this specific boycott is that when it comes down to it, trolls from all political affiliations support it.

True but Liberal boycott is almost useless nowadays for Hindi cinema

 

[Rana]

This BBC report is actually doing the opposite - it is actually trying to almost blackmail the owners to go bid for almost all incompetent - in my opinion - Pakistani players. Apart from UT, and perhaps Farhan going by his current form, I really don’t see a single Pakistani player worthy of being selected in the Hundred. At least not at this time.

If you kept to merit, no Pakistani, diaspora or members of the British Public have a problem. We respect that.

The moment it became known that these Indian Business K@njars wanted to do what they have been doing in India here in England too…

That’s why you Sanghis need to shut up for now and not become complicit with indirect promotion of discrimination.

 

[charlie007]

If you kept to merit, no Pakistani, diaspora or members of the British Public have a problem. We respect that.

The moment it became known that these Indian Business K@njars wanted to do what they have been doing in India here in England too…

That’s why you Sanghis need to shut up for now and not become complicit with indirect promotion of discrimination.

I’m talking on merit only. And stop calling me names just because I speak the truth with examples and you don’t like it or you disagree with me. Keep it civil.

 

[Rana]

I’m talking on merit only. And stop calling me names just because I speak the truth with examples and you don’t like it or you disagree with me. Keep it civil.

No you don’t speak the truth. You speak what suits your Pro Indian narrative.

 

[charlie007]

No you don’t speak the truth. You speak what suits your Pro Indian narrative.

In that case argue with me on facts - if I see merit I’ll change my opinion. Which other player do you feel is better than all other options available from the world pool? You would have read my posts on this forum, where did you find me not speaking facts or going jingoistic with non sensical statements?

 

[Devadwal]

@Rana is only active in this thread (because in other Thread he is getting humiliated )untill the action dates, after he leave this thread as well.

M iski rag rag ae wakif hu.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Puttar, just demonstrate Racism and discrimination once in England. Then see what happens.

What happened last year when no Pakistani was picked in the hundred.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Yes, they can run off!

Racism and discrimination is not welcome in England!

With them goes away ecbs financial lifeline, they can then give contracts to Pakistanis and go around to find the money to pay them

 

[cricketjoshila]

@Rana is only active in this thread (because in other Thread he is getting humiliated )untill the action dates, after he leave this thread as well.

M iski rag rag ae wakif hu.

Rana bolta hai usko datd nahi hota, tumne kahan isse humiliate kiya?

 

[Rana]

With them goes away ecbs financial lifeline

Doob ke marr jaye ECB if they promote Racism and Discrimination!!

You are not their saviour! Stop trying to act like this is some charity work!

 

[cricketjoshila]

Doob ke marr jaye ECB if they promote Racism and Discrimination!!

You are not their saviour! Stop trying to act like this is some charity work!

I am not, Indian money is, ecb isn’t responsible for giving work to Pakistani players, they have to run cricket in England and work for English cricket, why will they doob maro for few pakistanis?

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

This BBC report is actually doing the opposite - it is actually trying to almost blackmail the owners to go bid for almost all incompetent - in my opinion - Pakistani players. Apart from UT, and perhaps Farhan going by his current form, I really don’t see a single Pakistani player worthy of being selected in the Hundred. At least not at this time.

Franchise leagues like The Hundred are not necessarily about selecting the best players in the world. Besides the IPL no other league has that luxury. It's about selecting the best available players who fit into a team's specific plans and combinations. Are you really going to tell me that someone like Kane Williamson is good enough to play T20 cricket in this day and age? Statistically speaking he is one of the worst top-order batters when it comes to strike-rate and yet he still manages to get deals in good leagues like The Hundred and SA20. Also there is a big variance between how some players perform in leagues and how they perform on the international level. As mediocre as they may be for Pakistan, I can see alot of these guys doing well in The Hundred.

 

[Rana]

I am not, Indian money is, ecb isn’t responsible for giving work to Pakistani players, they have to run cricket in England and work for English cricket, why will they doob maro for few pakistanis?

Why will the ECB+UK government promote Racism and discrimination because of Indian businessmen?

 

[Devadwal]

Doob ke marr jaye ECB if they promote Racism and Discrimination!!

You are not their saviour! Stop trying to act like this is some charity work!

Ha ECB tumhare useless tullebaaz ko select kar le chahe wo bankrupt ho Jaye.

Are Ben stoke tum kud ko itna important kyu samjhate ho , jabki ho 1% bhi nahi.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Why will the ECB+UK government promote Racism and discrimination because of Indian businessmen?

Ecb needs money to survive and that money is coming from Indian businessmen not from pakistanis, who can only whine, nothing else


Tommorow will uk government stop its trade deal with India, because Indian government doesn’t give work visas to Pakistanis.

Pakistanis cry racism and islamophobia at the drop of a hat, this has to be proved and social media and media outlets aren’t the judge of this

 

[cricketjoshila]

Ha ECB tumhare useless tullebaaz ko select kar le chahe wo bankrupt ho Jaye.

Are Ben stoke tum kud ko itna important kyu samjhate ho , jabki ho 1% bhi nahi.

Ecb bankrupt ho jaaye uk government ka sabe important tradedeal toot jaaye, par pakistanis ko paise milne chahiye, wo important hai

 

[rpant_gabba]

Franchise leagues like The Hundred are not necessarily about selecting the best players in the world. Besides the IPL no other league has that luxury. It's about selecting the best available players who fit into a team's specific plans and combinations. Are you really going to tell me that someone like Kane Williamson is good enough to play T20 cricket in this day and age? Statistically speaking he is one of the worst top-order batters when it comes to strike-rate and yet he still manages to get deals in good leagues like The Hundred and SA20. Also there is a big variance between how some players perform in leagues and how they perform on the international level. As mediocre as they may be for Pakistan, I can see alot of these guys doing well in The Hundred.

Is the auction only for this season?

Pak is touring WI right in the middle of the 100 and strtainga test series 3 days later. So most good players for Pak will be out for 3/4ths of the tournament

 

[Rana]

Ecb needs money to survive and that money is coming from Indian businessmen not from pakistanis, who can only whine, nothing else

Dekh lenghe.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Dekh lenghe.

Dekhte raho aur dard se tadapo isse jyada kuch nahi kar paoge

 

[Rana]

Dekhte raho aur dard se tadapo isse jyada kuch nahi kar paoge

Puttar dard bhi tujhe hoga

Grovel bhi tum karoge

Bhikari ki tarha Pakistan se match khelne ke liye bheek bhi tum maango ghe.

That’s the reality

 

[charlie007]

Franchise leagues like The Hundred are not necessarily about selecting the best players in the world. Besides the IPL no other league has that luxury. It's about selecting the best available players who fit into a team's specific plans and combinations. Are you really going to tell me that someone like Kane Williamson is good enough to play T20 cricket in this day and age? Statistically speaking he is one of the worst top-order batters when it comes to strike-rate and yet he still manages to get deals in good leagues like The Hundred and SA20. Also there is a big variance between how some players perform in leagues and how they perform on the international level. As mediocre as they may be for Pakistan, I can see alot of these guys doing well in The Hundred.

I see your point and agree how a player fits into a team's specific plans - Williamson was selected as a captain so they were demanding more from him than just his batting. Given how he performed in his batting, I don't see him being selected as a pure batter in the Hundred. He has only played 1 season (the last one) and in that season without any Indian owners, there were no Pakistan players selected. Even before that not many Pakistani players have made into the Hundred. Now would it be fair to the owners if they don't select any Pakistani players because they don't deem them to be worth selecting for the next couple of years and be called discriminatory, while the same teams in the prior year didn't select any anyway?

The point I'm trying to make is that in the Hundred it's the merit that'll determine who gets picked and who doesn't, just how they did it last year. I see UT and perhaps Farhan getting picked- other than those it's a lottery. That said, I don't condone any player being discriminated against based on their nationality if they deserve to be picked based on merit.

 

[Savak]

How can anyone prove this? The Indian owned franchises have every right now to not bid for the Pakistani players. Let's be honest, which current Pakistani player is an automatic confirmed starter for T-20 teams?

Even Amir and Imad are not the same players. The likes of Babar, Rizwan have lost their T-20 currency. Shaheen and Shadab blow hot and cold, mostly cold. Rauf has impressive T-20 stats but he habitually capitulates under pressure.

Lol the Indian owned teams can easily make the argument that none of the Pakistani players are good enough.

 

[Cricfan8920]

Puttar dard bhi tujhe hoga

Grovel bhi tum karoge

Bhikari ki tarha Pakistan se match khelne ke liye bheek bhi tum maango ghe.

That’s the reality

Itna mat hansaao yaar

 

[Cricfan8920]

A Pakistani player wearing a jersey that has the word ‘Indian’ in it. Won’t this be mulk se ghaddari?

 

[IMMY69]

I can see the logic behind not selecting any Pakistani players on current form.

However, I'm pretty sure that there are three or four players that can get into a team and would add value.

After all, Pakistan has a population that is well in excess of 200 million people and even if 20 million switch on their sets (via YouTube or whatever) to watch their player then The Hundred would surely make more money?

100k for a Babar or Shaheen or Farhan is surely a great return on their investment?

Anyway, I may be wrong regarding viewership and whether this would increase the revenue for The Hundred.
But what is indisputable is that if the Indian teams exclude Pakistani players on purpose then it is blatant racism and goes against everything England's laws stand for and there will be huge outcry both amongst the Pakistani dispora and English lawmakers.

The question as to whether discrimination can be proven in a court of law or actually secondary... the end result will just be another nail in the coffin of the game...