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Sunrisers Leeds Signs Abrar Ahmed Amid Backlash from Indian Fans
On March 12, 2026, Sunrisers Leeds acquired Pakistani leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed for £190,000 during The Hundred auction, sparking significant backlash from Indian supporters. The immediate trigger for the controversy is Abrar's previous social media comments mocking India and the historical restrictions on Pakistani players in Indian leagues. This incident may lead to increased scrutiny of cross-border player signings in cricket and potential shifts in franchise strategies regarding player acquisitions.
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Sunrisers Leeds Signs Abrar Ahmed Amid Backlash from Indian Fans
On March 12, 2026, Sunrisers Leeds acquired Pakistani leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed for £190,000 during The Hundred auction, sparking significant backlash from Indian supporters. The immediate trigger for the controversy is Abrar's previous social media comments mocking India and the historical restrictions on Pakistani players in Indian leagues. This incident may lead to increased scrutiny of cross-border player signings in cricket and potential shifts in franchise strategies regarding player acquisitions.
Sunrisers Leeds signs Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed for Hundred amid backlash
Sunrisers Leeds signed Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed for £190,000 in the inaugural player auction for the 2026 Hundred season.<grok:render type="render_inline_citation"><argument name="citation_id">0</argument></grok:render><grok:render type="render_inline_citation"><argument name="citation_id">7</argument></grok:render> The move sparked social media backlash over Abrar's alleged mockery of India after the May 2025 India-Pakistan armed conflict, with users questioning the Indian owners' patriotism and calling for boycotts of Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL.<grok:render type="render_inline_citation"><argument name="citation_id">0</argument></grok:render><grok:render type="render_inline_citation"><argument name="citation_id">2</argument></grok:render> The team's X account was suspended amid the uproar, while coach Daniel Vettori defended the signing; watch for effects on fan loyalty, Pakistani player participation in Indian-owned leagues, and Hundred team dynamics.<grok:render type="render_inline_citation"><argument name="citation_id">4</argument></grok:render><grok:render type="render_inline_citation"><argument name="citation_id">8</argument></grok:render>