The signing of Pakistan mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed by Sunrisers Leeds in The Hundred has stirred a storm among cricket fans, but the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made it clear that the decision lies entirely with the franchise.

The move has sparked strong reactions across social media, with many fans criticising the franchise and its management. Sunrisers Leeds, owned by the Sun TV group, has come under intense scrutiny online after acquiring Abrar during the recent Hundred players’ auction.

Despite the backlash, BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla stated that the Indian board has no authority over player selections in overseas leagues.

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BCCI distances itself from controversy

Speaking to ANI, Shukla emphasised that the matter does not fall under the board’s jurisdiction. "This is not at all concerned with the IPL. It's an overseas league. This is not in our domain. We cannot do anything. They have to take a call," Shukla said.

“Our domain is limited to the IPL. We have nothing to do with what they do in a league outside that. How can we interfere with them signing a player in a foreign league? That’s up to them. It’s purely up to the franchise who have bought a team outside India. If they are taking some player outside India in that league, we are least concerned because in IPL there is no such player,” he added.

The controversy has also led to heavy criticism directed at Sunrisers owner Kavya Maran, while the official X (formerly Twitter) handle of Sunrisers Leeds was reportedly suspended amid the online uproar.

Auction move triggers fan reaction

Abrar Ahmed, currently ranked World No.3 among T20I bowlers, was signed for 190,000 pounds (roughly USD 255,000) during Thursday’s auction. Sunrisers Leeds outbid Trent Rockets to secure the services of the mystery spinner.

At the auction table, head coach Daniel Vettori and owner Kavya Maran were seen placing the winning bid.

Explaining the franchise’s strategy, Vettori later revealed that Abrar became their primary target after England leg-spinner Adil Rashid was picked by another team. He also mentioned that Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq was initially under consideration, but once Abrar was secured, the team decided not to pursue another spinner.

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Indian involvement in The Hundred has grown significantly since October 2025, when several teams received investments from Indian owners. Since then, speculation had circulated that franchises with Indian backing might avoid signing Pakistani players. However, Sunrisers Leeds broke that assumption by bringing Abrar into their squad. In fact, only two Pakistan players were sold in the men’s Hundred auction – Abrar Ahmed and Usman Tariq.

The decision has divided fans, with many urging the franchise to reconsider the signing. Yet, with the BCCI making its stance clear, the final call now firmly rests with the Sunrisers management.