Sahibzada Farhan ‘Very Hopeful’ of Securing a Deal
Sixty-three Pakistani players are included in the 710-player auction longlist for the upcoming Hundred tournament.
Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan has expressed optimism about securing a contract to participate in the Hundred this year, despite reports indicating that the tournament’s four Indian-owned teams will not consider signing players from Pakistan. However, he acknowledged that selection decisions are beyond the players’ control.
Farhan, who was the leading run-scorer at the T20 World Cup, is among 63 Pakistani players listed on the 710-name longlist submitted for the men’s auction scheduled for 12 March. Despite circulating rumours, Pakistani players have made themselves available in greater numbers than any other foreign nation, with all but two members of the country’s 15-man World Cup squad seeking contracts.
The eight Hundred teams have been tasked with narrowing down the longlist to 75 players each, focusing on those they are most interested in signing. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is expected to release the resulting shortlist this week.
Farhan stated he was
“very hopeful”about being signed.
“Because every player wants to play in every league, play in the good leagues,”the 29-year-old said.
“The Hundred is one of the best leagues. So I hope for the best.”
On Sunday, the ECB sent a letter to the eight Hundred clubs warning that action would be taken if any evidence of discrimination was found in their selection policies. Farhan commented,
“This is not in our hands, who picks us or who doesn’t,”adding,
“Whichever team is interested in picking us can, and we are ready to play in that league. It’s not like people are not interested in us.”
Geopolitical Tensions Affecting Player Selection
Due to geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan, Pakistani players have not been considered by teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2009. Additionally, they have not been signed by other domestic franchises controlled by the owners of IPL teams, including those in South Africa’s SA20 and the ILT20 in the United Arab Emirates. Consequently, Farhan’s franchise experience is limited to the Pakistan Super League, Pakistan’s Champions T20 Cup, and nine matches in the Bangladesh Premier League.
Last year, stakes in the eight Hundred teams were sold, resulting in Oval Invincibles, Manchester Originals, Northern Superchargers, and Southern Brave sharing ownership with IPL sides. The first three have since been renamed MI London, Manchester Super Giants, and Sunrisers Leeds, respectively.
No Pakistani players were selected in the 2025 Hundred auction, partly due to scheduling conflicts, as their national team was engaged in matches in the West Indies and the United Arab Emirates during the tournament. Similar scheduling challenges may deter potential suitors this year as well. During the Hundred, Pakistan is scheduled to play two Test matches in the West Indies, followed by a three-Test series against England beginning three days after the tournament final.
