Abrar Ahmed and Kavya Maran (PTI/IPL Photo)

NEW DELHI: The signing of Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed by Sunrisers Leeds in The Hundred has sparked debate online, but the BCCI, through its vice president Rajeev Shukla, has distanced itself. The franchise, owned by the Sun Group, which also runs Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL, bought Abrar for GBP 190,000 (around Rs 2.34 crore) during Thursday’s auction after a bidding battle with Trent Rockets. The tournament will take place from July 21 to August 16.

BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla made it clear that the Indian board does not control decisions made in overseas leagues. “It doesn’t concern us. It’s not the IPL. What happens in The Hundred or other overseas leagues, we have nothing to do with it,” Shukla told PTI.Abrar’s signing triggered backlash on social media, and the Sunrisers Leeds X account was suspended briefly. The reaction reflects the long-standing absence of Pakistani players in the IPL since 2009, when worsening diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan effectively ended their participation in the league.Sunrisers Leeds came under the Sun Group’s control last year after it bought a 49% stake from the England and Wales Cricket Board and the remaining 51% from Yorkshire for about GBP 100 million. Sunrisers CEO Kavya Maran attended the auction.Interestingly, Abrar wasn’t the only Pakistan player picked in the auction. Mystery spinner Usman Tariq was earlier bought by Birmingham Phoenix for GBP 140,000, though that team has no IPL links.Despite the IPL ban, Pakistani players have still appeared in overseas leagues for teams connected to IPL owners. Recently, Several Pakistani cricketers have played for Indian-owned or co-owned franchises in overseas T20 leagues.Imad Wasim featured for Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the ILT20 in 2023–24 and later for Seattle Orcas in Major League Cricket in 2024 and 2025, a team co-owned by the Delhi Capitals’ GMR Group. Zaman Khan also played for Seattle Orcas in MLC 2024. The same year, Mohammad Amir and Usman Tariq played for Trinbago Knight Riders in the CPL, a franchise owned by Kolkata Knight Riders.

Rishabh Pant returns in the colours of Lucknow Super Giants with renewed determination to help the franchise end its wait for an IPL title while also chasing his own first trophy in the league. Pant was roped in by Lucknow last season for a record-breaking INR 27 crore, but the campaign did not unfold the way either the player or the team had hoped. The wicketkeeper batter managed 269 runs in 14 matches, with an unbeaten 118 standing out as his best effort. He finished the season with a strike rate of 133.16, numbers that fell short of the lofty expectations around him as Lucknow ended up seventh on the table.

Ahead of the new season, Lucknow have reshaped their squad by bringing in Wanindu Hasaranga, Anrich Nortje, Josh Inglis and several young prospects, while also securing the services of Arjun Tendulkar and Mohammed Shami through trades.

During a training session ahead of the new season, Pant called on his LSG teammates to strengthen their bond and keep communication open within the group. Speaking to the squad, the skipper underlined the value of exchanging ideas and learning from one another, adding that such conversations are vital if the team wants to grow together and create the right environment in the dressing room.

“A lot of people are from last year. A few new faces for sure. Welcome, everyone. Let’s look to build the relationships. If we don’t talk about cricket, we’re not going to improve. As an individual, let’s take whatever we can from all these gentlemen here and try to build something for this season to look forward to,” Pant said in a video on LSG’s social media channel.

“When we come into a season, every time there is a thought in our mind that lets’s build something; let’s look to win. But at the same time to be clear in your thought process, what do you want to do? What do you want to achieve as an individual and as a team… And this is the best time to have that clarity. This is kind of a season camp, but still a pre-season camp because the rest of the squad will join from March 15-16, mostly,” he added.

The LSG skipper also emphasised the need for players to spend time together and build a positive atmosphere within the group during the early days of the camp.

“So it’s just getting to know each other. Let’s spend a good time with each other and have a great time, yeah? Let’s keep communicating. Lots of energy. Lots of fun. Lots of learning. Let’s create something,” he added.