Pakistan leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed is confronting a difficult choice ahead of the upcoming international season, with a potential call-up for the national side's two-match Test series in the West Indies threatening to derail his participation in The Hundred in England, where he was signed by Indian-owned franchise Sunrisers Leeds, according to a report published by Telecom Asia Sport on Friday.
The situation has placed Abrar at the centre of the familiar country-versus-club dilemma, forcing him to weigh a commitment to Pakistan's red-ball campaign against an opportunity to represent his franchise in the white-ball tournament. “Abrar and his agent are in a fix because if he is selected for the Test team to play in the West Indies, it will affect his participation in The Hundred, which will start four days before the first Test,” sources said.
This year's edition of The Hundred is scheduled to begin on July 21, with the opening Test in the Caribbean set to get underway on July 25.
Abrar's acquisition by Sunrisers Leeds had already generated considerable debate within Indian cricket circles. The franchise, owned by Kavya Maran, attracted criticism after securing the Pakistan spinner's services for 190,000 pounds (approx. INR 2.3 crore).
The signing prompted widespread reaction online, where fans questioned the decision and accused the franchise of disregarding national sentiment. The criticism grew further after reports claimed that Kavya herself raised the paddle during the auction to complete the signing of the Pakistani spinner.
People familiar with Abrar's agent indicated that missing The Hundred would represent a significant setback for the player. “Sunrisers Leeds owner has faced backlash from 140 billion people and has resisted that, so it will be imperative that Abrar plays in The Hundred,” sources told telecomasia.net.
Pakistan's national selection committee is expected to reveal the squad for the two-match Test tour on Monday. Abrar remains under consideration as selectors look for a leg-spinner, with the bowler viewed as an important asset against the West Indies batting line-up.
India suspended bilateral cricket ties with Pakistan following the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which New Delhi blamed on militants operating from across the border. Since then, the neighbouring nations have met only in multinational tournaments such as the World Cup, Champions Trophy and Asia Cup.
The suspension of bilateral cricket came only months after Pakistani cricketers took part in the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Pakistani players have not featured in the IPL since, and Indian-owned franchises competing in leagues around the world have also refrained from signing them. That changed only after the England and Wales Cricket Board reportedly warned that "no discrimination" would be permitted against Pakistani players, paving the way for Sunrisers Leeds to recruit Abrar during The Hundred auction.
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