The primary reasons behind Pakistani players remaining unpicked in The Hundred 2025 draft revolve around scheduling conflicts and concerns about their availability. Despite this, the timing of international commitments appears to have played a significant role in the absence of Pakistani players in the draft.
A total of 50 Pakistan cricketers, including five women, were left unselected in The Hundred 2025 draft, which took place at Lord’s on Wednesday. This outcome has raised questions among cricket fans, especially since several overseas slots were still open in different teams.
Lack of Selection IN The Hundred 2025: What Happened?
While the exclusion of the five women players—Aliya Riaz, Fatima Sana, Yusra Amir, Iram Javed, and Jaweria Rauf—was somewhat expected due to limited overseas slots, the absence of any male players in the draft came as a surprise.
Among the male cricketers, Naseem Shah had the highest reserve price of £120,000, while all-rounder Imad Wasim and young batter Saim Ayub set theirs at £78,500. Other players, including Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, and Mohammad Hasnain, had a base price of £63,000. Some, like Mohammad Abbas, Haider Ali, and Ammad Butt, registered without specifying a price.
New Investment Model and Impact on Selection
This season introduced a shift in The Hundred, as the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) allowed external investors into the franchises. As a result, all eight teams received investments, with four now owned by Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise owners.
Although Pakistani players have not participated in the IPL since 2008, ECB Chief Executive Richard Gould had assured that their participation in The Hundred would not be affected by any external influence.
Availability Issues Played a Major Role
The main factor behind Pakistani players going unpicked appears to be concerns about their availability. The tournament runs from August 5 to 31, which clashes with Pakistan’s series against West Indies from July 31 to August 12. There is also speculation about an additional white-ball series against Bangladesh in the same period, making it difficult for Pakistani players to commit for the full tournament.
Looking Ahead
While the snub has disappointed fans and players, availability remains a major consideration for franchise teams. If scheduling conflicts persist, Pakistani players may continue to struggle for opportunities in The Hundred in the future. However, with the growing reputation of Pakistan’s T20 talent, there may still be chances in upcoming drafts if schedules align better.
