Pakistan cricket has shown strong interest in global franchise cricket as 63 players from the country have registered for The Hundred 2026 auction. The upcoming auction, which will be held in London in March, will feature more than 700 players from 18 countries, making it one of the biggest player pools in the tournament’s history.
This development comes at a time when reports suggest that some IPL-linked franchises may not bid for Pakistani players. Despite the uncertainty, many top Pakistan stars have decided to enter the auction, highlighting their desire to compete in major international leagues.
Auction Overview
The Hundred 2026 will conduct its first full IPL-style auction at a public venue in London. Both men’s and women’s auctions will be held on separate days.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Women’s Auction | 11 March 2026 |
| Men’s Auction | 12 March 2026 |
| Venue | Piccadilly Lights, London |
| Total Registered Players | 711+ |
| Countries Represented | 18 |
| Pakistani Players | 63 |
Notably, Pakistan stars Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have not registered, likely due to scheduling commitments or workload management.
Top Pakistani Players and Base Price Tiers
Several high-profile Pakistani cricketers have entered the auction across different base price categories.
£100,000 Base Price (Top Tier)
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Shaheen Shah Afridi | Fast Bowler |
| Shadab Khan | All-rounder |
| Haris Rauf | Fast Bowler |
| Mohammad Nawaz | All-rounder |
| Naseem Shah | Fast Bowler |
£75,000 Base Price
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Salman Ali Agha | All-rounder (T20 Captain) |
| Abrar Ahmed | Spinner |
| Mohammad Amir | Fast Bowler |
| Zaman Khan | Fast Bowler |
| Usman Tariq | Bowler |
£50,000 Base Price (Selected Names)
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Faheem Ashraf | All-rounder |
| Sahibzada Farhan | Batter |
| Imad Wasim | All-rounder |
| Usama Mir | Spinner |
| Abbas Afridi | Fast Bowler |
Young talents like Saim Ayub and several emerging domestic players are also part of the pool.
Also see: The Hundred 2026 Controversy: IPL-Linked Teams Unlikely to Bid for Pakistani Players
What This Means for Pakistan Players
Most members of Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad have registered, showing the team’s strong interest in global opportunities. Even with reports of limited interest from some franchises, players are expected to attract attention from teams not linked with IPL ownership.
If selected, this could open important financial and competitive opportunities for Pakistani cricketers in the England-based league.
The Hundred has seen increased investment and higher salary structures for the 2026 season. With strong international participation and a large auction pool, competition for overseas slots will be intense.
All eyes are now on March 11–12, when the auction takes place. Fans and experts are especially keen to see whether top names like Shaheen Afridi, Shadab Khan, and Salman Agha secure major contracts.
