Pakistan leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed has secured a major contract in The Hundred after Sunrisers Leeds signed him for £190,000 (approximately Rs. 6.84 crore) following a competitive bidding battle that reportedly also involved Trent Rockets.

The hefty price places Abrar among the most expensive overseas spinners in the tournament’s history.

Abrar entered the draft with a base price of £75,000, but his value climbed rapidly as teams showed strong interest. The bidding eventually more than doubled his initial price before Sunrisers Leeds finalized the deal.

The signing is particularly significant because Abrar is being described as the first Pakistani player selected by an IPL-owned or IPL-linked franchise in The Hundred. The development challenges recent speculation suggesting that such teams might avoid signing Pakistani players due to political and league-related sensitivities.

Abrar’s growing demand in franchise cricket has been driven by consistent performances across international matches and domestic leagues. As of early 2026, he is ranked No. 4 in the ICC Men’s T20I Bowling Rankings by the International Cricket Council and also impressed fans with standout performances during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

His signing also comes amid broader discussions about Pakistan’s representation in this year’s draft. Earlier, Usman Tariq became the first Pakistani men’s player selected, joining Birmingham Phoenix for £140,000 (around Rs. 5.04 crore).

However, several high-profile Pakistani players did not find buyers in the draft, including Haris Rauf, Saim Ayub, and Shadab Khan, while star fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi opted out of the auction altogether.

In the women’s draft, no Pakistani players were selected either, including national captain Fatima Sana and top-ranked bowler Sadia Iqbal. Their absence has fueled ongoing debate about how Pakistani talent is being treated in The Hundred’s recruitment process.