Pakistan leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed has landed a major deal in The Hundred, after Sunrisers Leeds secured him for £190,000 (around Rs. 6.84 crore) following a bidding battle that reportedly involved Trent Rockets.
The price tag places Abrar Ahmed among the most expensive overseas spinners in the competition’s history.
Abrar entered the auction with a base price of £75,000, but his value surged as the bidding intensified, more than doubling before Sunrisers Leeds clinched the signing.
The move is notable for another reason: Abrar is being described as the first Pakistani player picked by an IPL-owned (or IPL-linked) franchise in The Hundred, a development that goes against recent chatter suggesting such teams may steer clear of Pakistani players.
Abrar’s rising demand has been fueled by consistent performances across formats and leagues. As of early 2026, he is ranked No. 4 in the ICC Men’s T20I Bowling Rankings, and he also delivered eye-catching spells at the T20 World Cup 2026.
Abrar’s signing also comes as Pakistan’s overall presence in the draft remains a talking point. Earlier, Usman Tariq became the first Pakistani men’s player to be selected this year, joining Birmingham Phoenix for £140,000 (around Rs. 5.04 crore).
However, high-profile names such as Haris Rauf, Saim Ayub, and Shadab Khan went unsold, while Shaheen Shah Afridi opted out of the auction.
In the women’s draft, no Pakistani players were picked, including in-form captain Fatima Sana and top-ranked bowler Sadia Iqbal, keeping the debate alive about how Pakistani talent is being treated in The Hundred market.