Lalit Modi Slams Sunrisers Over Pakistan Player Signing at The Hundred

The Sunrisers Leeds franchise has found itself at the center of a brewing storm after acquiring Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed for £190,000 (approximately Rs 2.34 crore) at the inaugural men’s Hundred auction in London. The decision, made by the Kavya Maran-owned franchise, has drawn widespread criticism, with the team’s official X account even facing a temporary suspension amid the public uproar.

Pakistan Players and Indian Franchises: A Long-Standing Divide

Pakistani cricketers have been effectively barred from the IPL following the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, appearing only in the league’s first edition that year. Since then, Indian-owned franchises operating in overseas tournaments have largely avoided signing Pakistani players out of sensitivity to public sentiment. Sunrisers Leeds’ decision to break this unwritten norm has raised eyebrows across the cricketing world and beyond.

Lalit Modi Weighs In With a Pointed Message

Former IPL chairman Lalit Modi, currently residing in the UK after fleeing India in 2010 over serious allegations including money laundering and tax evasion, took to X with a barely veiled remark directed at the Sunrisers owner. “Investing 2.34 crore on a Pakistani player when the fans are already on edge? I know a thing or two about managing optics and building empires. Call me,” he posted. While no names were explicitly mentioned, the specific figure and timing left little doubt about who his message targeted.

The controversy continues to grow, putting Kavya Maran and the Sunrisers brand under significant pressure as cricket fans await an official response from the franchise.