Abrar Ahmed Sunrisers Leeds Signing Controversy

By Vikram Nair / 16.03.2026

The recent signing of Abrar Ahmed by Sunrisers Leeds has raised a critical question: what does this mean for the relationship between Indian franchises and Pakistani players? The controversy surrounding this signing highlights the complex interplay of sports, politics, and public sentiment.

Sunrisers Leeds, owned by the Indian company Sun TV, signed the Pakistani cricketer for a substantial fee of USD 255,000. This move has not only attracted attention due to Ahmed’s performance but also because of the historical context in which Pakistani players have been barred from participating in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2009, following the Mumbai terror attacks.

Sunil Gavaskar, a prominent figure in Indian cricket, has been vocal in his criticism of the signing. In a column for Mid-day, he expressed his concerns, stating that the acquisition of a Pakistani player by an Indian franchise owner is bound to create a stir. Gavaskar articulated that the financial contributions made to Pakistani players indirectly support a government that has been linked to violence against Indian citizens.

He elaborated, “Although belated, the realization that the fees that they pay to a Pakistani player, who then pays income tax to his government, which buys arms and weapons, indirectly contributes to the deaths of Indian soldiers and civilians, is making Indian entities refrain from even considering having Pakistani artistes and sportspersons.” This perspective has resonated with many fans, leading to a significant backlash on social media platforms.

Gavaskar further warned that the signing could lead to boycotts by Indian fans against Sunrisers Leeds, stating, “It won’t be a surprise that for every game that this team plays, whether at home or away, there will be massive demonstrations by Indian fans protesting at this hard-to-believe buying.” His comments reflect a broader sentiment among Indian cricket supporters who are wary of any association with Pakistani players.

Despite the criticism, Rajeev Shukla, a senior official of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), clarified that the board has no authority over leagues outside the IPL. This statement underscores the autonomy of franchises like Sunrisers Leeds in making their own player acquisitions, regardless of the political implications.

The backlash against the signing of Abrar Ahmed has been significant, with many questioning the ethics of employing a player from a country with which India has had a fraught relationship. The historical context of Pakistani players being excluded from the IPL adds another layer of complexity to this situation.

As the cricketing world watches closely, the future of Abrar Ahmed’s tenure with Sunrisers Leeds remains uncertain. Will the backlash influence the franchise’s decision-making in the future? Details remain unconfirmed, but the implications of this signing are likely to be felt for some time to come.