England look to sell 'The Hundred' teams, prioritizes inclusion of Pakistan players

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) plans to sell six franchises of 'The Hundred' league next year, aiming to earn £600 million from the process. The ECB is pushing for inclusivity by ensuring Pakistani players participate, addressing concerns over past bias against them by Indian-owned teams.  

Indian billionaires, who own franchises in various international leagues, have often excluded Pakistani players from their teams. However, the ECB is committed to ending this trend and distancing cricket from political tensions. Franchise buyers will be warned against discriminatory practices and encouraged to include Pakistani superstars.  

Pakistani players like Haris Rauf, Usama Mir, Mohammad Haris, and Imad Wasim participated in *The Hundred* last year, showcasing their talent. The MCC has also expressed interest in including Pakistani players in the league.  

For the first time, the PSL and IPL will run concurrently, putting pressure on the PSL to attract top-tier international players. With many global stars tied to IPL contracts, the PCB faces a tough task to ensure the league's success.  

Big names like David Warner, Steve Smith, Kane Williamson, and Adil Rashid have already been overlooked by IPL franchises, leaving an opportunity for the PSL to recruit them.  

In a historic IPL auction held in Jeddah, Lucknow Super Giants purchased Rishabh Pant for ₹27 crore, the highest bid in IPL history. Shreyas Iyer followed as the second most expensive player, sold for nearly ₹26.7 crore.