Pakistani spinner Usman Tariq has made history by becoming the first Pakistani player selected in this year’s The Hundred player draft. He was signed by Birmingham Phoenix for £140,000 (around Rs. 5.04 crore).
Tariq’s selection is significant, as many Pakistani players were overlooked during the auction. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has repeatedly stated that nationality or political considerations should not affect player recruitment, yet most Pakistani names went unsold.
Notable Pakistani cricketers such as Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan did not receive any bids. Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi opted out of the auction.
Observers suggest that many teams in The Hundred have ownership ties to Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises, which may have contributed to the limited interest in Pakistani players.
In the women’s draft, no Pakistani players secured contracts either. Captain Fatima Sana and top-ranked bowler Sadia Iqbal were overlooked despite strong performances in recent tournaments.
The Hundred auction is still ongoing, and it remains to be seen if any other Pakistani players will be signed. However, Usman Tariq’s inclusion as the first Pakistani player marks a milestone for the country’s cricket representation in international franchise leagues.
This selection highlights Pakistan’s growing talent in T20 cricket and shows that Pakistani players are finally gaining recognition on global platforms. Fans and analysts are now closely watching whether other players from Pakistan will get opportunities before the draft concludes.
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Usman Tariq’s signing as the first Pakistani player is expected to inspire other young cricketers and boost Pakistan’s presence in franchise cricket tournaments worldwide.
