The controversy surrounding the inclusion of Pakistani spinner Abrar Ahmed in the Sunrisers Leeds squad—part of England’s franchise cricket league, ‘The Hundred’—shows no signs of abating. The franchise is affiliated with the IPL’s Sunrisers Hyderabad, which is owned by Kavya Maran. Following this decision, there has been a continuous wave of protest on social media, with some users even calling for a boycott of Sunrisers Leeds. Now, spiritual orator Aniruddhacharya has also issued a strong reaction regarding this issue. He asserted that Indian players should be given priority and that the country’s money should remain within the country.
He stated, “Indian cricketers should be bought. This will strengthen the Indian Rupee. It is baffling why some people in India harbor such affection for Pakistan. Why do they not give opportunities to Indian players?” He further added, “If we spend our money on Pakistani players, that very money will flow to Pakistan, and that same money will be used to launch missiles at India.”
Aniruddhacharya Attends Sanatan Premier League
Aniruddhacharya made these remarks while attending the Sanatan Premier League, held in Indore. During the event, he also emphasized the importance of sports, stating that it is crucial to engage the youth in athletic activities. He remarked, “Such sporting events should continue to be organized. Even Lord Krishna engaged in various forms of sports. Sports keep the youth physically fit and also help shape a better future for them.”
Sunrisers Leeds’ X Account Suspended
Amidst the criticism following the purchase of Pakistani player Abrar Ahmed in the auction for England’s popular league, ‘The Hundred,’ the social media account of the Sunrisers franchise’s ‘Sunrisers Leeds’ has been suspended. The platform has not provided any explicit reason for this action. Typically, X suspends accounts that are found to be in violation of its rules and regulations.
Sunrisers Acquire Abrar
Abrar is the first Pakistani player to be acquired by an Indian-owned team in ‘The Hundred’ league. The franchise acquired him for US$ 255,000—approximately ₹2.3 crore in Indian currency. The Sunrisers franchise is currently facing a backlash from cricket fans in India over this decision. According to fans, the team owner, Kavya Maran’s, decision to purchase a Pakistani player runs counter to the sentiments of the nation.
Speculation Regarding a Ban on Buying Pakistani Players
Prior to the auction, there was considerable discussion regarding Indian-owned franchises refraining from purchasing Pakistani players. During this period, reports of a potential “shadow ban” also surfaced. Team coach Daniel Vettori revealed that, earlier in the year, he had sought the opinions of Australian players regarding Abrar. The decision to include him in the squad was made based on that feedback. He clarified that no specific internal meetings were held within the franchise to deliberate on whether or not to acquire Pakistani players.
Usman Tariq Also Finds a Buyer
It is worth noting that, in the men’s auction for ‘The Hundred’ tournament, Usman Tariq was the second player—besides Abrar Ahmed—to be successfully acquired. Tariq was purchased by the Birmingham Phoenix for US$ 187,000, which translates to approximately ₹1.7 crore in Indian currency. Last year, the IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad acquired the Leeds-based franchise competing in ‘The Hundred’.
This team was previously known as the Northern Superchargers. The franchise secured control of the team by acquiring a 49% stake from the ECB and a 51% stake from Yorkshire. However, prior to the auction, all eight franchises had explicitly stated that player selection would be based solely on performance, availability, and the specific requirements of the team. Sunrisers Leeds ultimately secured Abrar’s services following a bidding war against the Trent Rockets.
Abrar’s Controversial Posts
The primary catalyst for the controversy is reportedly a series of contentious social media posts allegedly made by Abrar in 2025. At that time, tensions between India and Pakistan were running high, and it is alleged that Abrar had shared posts mocking the Indian Army. As soon as news of his signing emerged, hashtags such as #ShameOnSRH and #BoycottSunrisers began trending on X. Critics argue that by awarding a lucrative contract to a player who insulted Indian security forces, the franchise owners have disregarded the nation’s sentiments for the sake of strategic advantage.
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