Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan stays hopeful of securing a contract to play within the Hundred this yr, despite experiences that the event’s 4 Indian-owned groups will not contemplate signing players from the nation, however he admitted that choice selections are “not in our hands”.
Farhan, who’s the main run-scorer on the T20 World Cup, is considered one of 63 Pakistani players on the 710-name longlist put ahead for the lads’s public sale on 12 March. Despite the rumours, extra Pakistani players have made themselves out there than these from some other international nation, with all however two of the nation’s 15-man World Cup squad hoping for a deal.
The eight Hundred groups have every been requested to whittle that longlist all the way down to the 75 players in whom they’re most , with the England and Wales Cricket Board anticipated to publish the ensuing shortlist this week.
Farhan mentioned he was “very hopeful” of being signed. “Because every player wants to play in every league, play in the good leagues,” the 29-year-old mentioned. “The Hundred is one of the best leagues. So I hope for the best.”
The ECB wrote to the eight Hundred golf equipment on Sunday, warning them that motion could be taken if there was any proof of discrimination of their choice insurance policies.
“This is not in our hands, who picks us or who doesn’t,” Farhan mentioned. “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.”
Because of geopolitical tensions between the nations Pakistani players have not been thought-about by groups within the Indian Premier League since 2009. They have additionally not been signed by different home franchises managed by the owners of IPL groups, together with in South Africa’s SA20 and the ILT20 within the United Arab Emirates. As a consequence Farhan’s franchise expertise is restricted to the Pakistan Super League, Pakistan’s Champions T20 Cup, and 9 video games within the Bangladesh Premier League.
The sale of stakes within the eight Hundred groups was accomplished final yr, with Oval Invincibles, Manchester Originals, Northern Superchargers and Southern Brave all now sharing possession with IPL sides. The first three of these have since been renamed MI London, Manchester Super Giants and Sunrisers Leeds.
No Pakistan players had been picked up within the 2025 Hundred public sale, partly due to scheduling conflicts, with their nationwide workforce taking part in in West Indies and the United Arab Emirates whereas the event was in progress. Similar points might postpone potential suitors this yr: through the Hundred Pakistan are attributable to play two Tests within the West Indies, with a 3‑Test sequence towards England beginning three days after the ultimate.
