England’s limited-overs captain Harry Brook has voiced his strong disapproval regarding reports that Pakistan players are being excluded from the Hundred 2026 auction by franchises under Indian ownership. Speaking from the T20 World Cup 2026 on February 21, 2026, Brook emphasized that the absence of such high-caliber talent would be a massive detriment to the competition’s quality and global appeal.
‘It would be a shame’: England captain Harry Brook calls for inclusivity
Addressing the media just a day before England’s high-stakes Super 8s match against Sri Lanka, the 26-year-old skipper was vocal about the importance of having the world’s best players, regardless of nationality. Brook expressed high regard for Pakistan’s cricketing prowess and the unique energy their players bring to any tournament.
“Pakistan have been a great cricket nation for many years and have some awesome players, some of the best players in the world. I think there’s about 50 or 60 players in the auction and it would be a shame to not see some of them in there. There’s some amazing cricketers and they bring some great crowds as well. So it would be a shame to not see some of the Pakistan players in there and make the tournament and competition even better.” Brook was quoted as saying by BBC Sports.
The controversy erupted following a BBC Sport investigation revealing that the four franchises recently acquired by Indian Premier League (IPL) owners, Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave, and Sunrisers Leeds—are unlikely to consider Pakistan players during the March 11–12 auction.
The Hundred 2026: Brook’s new role at Sunrisers Leeds
Despite the friction surrounding his team’s ownership, Brook remains the face of Sunrisers Leeds (formerly Northern Superchargers). He is set to become the tournament’s highest-paid player with a staggering £465,000 (approx. ₹5.26 crore) fee, yet he has made the strategic decision to relinquish the captaincy to focus on his batting and international leadership.
“I am staying away from that stuff and will let the head coach and whoever is in charge control that. My main focus at the minute is to play the T20 World Cup.” Brook concluded.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan has joined the outcry, urging the ECB to intervene immediately. Vaughan argued on social media that “the ECB need to act fast… they own the league and this should not be allowed to happen. The most inclusive sport in the country is not one that allows this to happen.” With the auction weeks away, the pressure is mounting on the ECB to ensure their anti-discrimination policies are upheld.
Also READ: Here’s why half of The Hundred teams might avoid signing Pakistani players in 2026
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