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Brook says overlooking Pakistan players for The Hundred would be ‘a shame’
#Harry Brook#The Hundred#Pakistan cricket#Sunrisers Leeds#Cricket auction#England cricket#T20 World Cup#Sports diplomacy
📌 Key Takeaways
Harry Brook urges teams to consider Pakistan players for The Hundred
Brook steps down as captain of Sunrisers Leeds at his own request
Approximately 63 Pakistan players available in March auction
Brook remains focused on England's T20 World Cup campaign
Sunrisers play first match on July 21, 2025
📖 Full Retelling
Harry Brook, England's white-ball captain and highest-paid player in The Hundred tournament, has urged the four Indian-owned sides to reconsider their reported decision not to bid for Pakistan players in the upcoming auctions scheduled for March 11-12, 2025, arguing that overlooking such talented cricketers would be 'a shame' and would diminish the quality of the tournament. Brook, who is contracted to Sunrisers Leeds owned by the Indian media corporation Sun Group, emphasized that Pakistan has been 'a great cricket nation for many years' and expressed disappointment at potentially missing out on approximately 50-60 skilled players available in the auction. The 26-year-old all-rounder, who captained Northern Superchargers (now Sunrisers Leeds) in the 2024 and 2025 seasons, revealed at his own request he would not be leading the side this summer, stating he plans to 'stay away from that stuff and let the head coach and whoever is in charge control that.' Sunrisers Leeds will play their first match at The Oval on July 21, 2025, just two days after Brook captains England in an ODI against India at Lord's, with the final scheduled for August 16, three days before England's Test against Pakistan at Headingley, Sunrisers' home ground. Currently, Brook's focus is on England's T20 World Cup campaign as they prepare for their Super 8s match against Sri Lanka at Pallekele, with the team waiting to learn whether Jacob Bethell will be able to bowl despite a finger injury sustained in their previous match.
The history of cricket in Pakistan predates the creation of the country in 1947. The first international cricket match in what is now Pakistan today was held in Karachi on 22 November 1935 between Sindh and an Australian XI (see Figure 1). The match was seen by 5,000 Karachiites.
Sunrisers Leeds, formerly known as Northern Superchargers, is a franchise 100-ball cricket team based in the English city of Leeds. The team represents the areas of North East England and Yorkshire in The Hundred competition, which first took place during the 2021 English and Welsh cricket season. B...
Harry Cherrington Brook (born 22 February 1999) is an English international cricketer who plays for England in all three formats of the game and is the Test vice-captain, ODI and T20I captain. Brook plays domestic cricket for Yorkshire. Primarily a right-handed batsman, he also bowls right-arm mediu...
Brook's call highlights the importance of inclusive player selection and could influence the composition of the Hundred, affecting fan engagement and the tournament's diversity
Context & Background
The Hundred includes four Indian-owned teams that reportedly excluded Pakistan players
Brook, England's white-ball captain, is a key player for Sunrisers Leeds
Pakistan has 63 eligible players in the auction, many of whom could boost crowds and competition
What Happens Next
The auction will take place on 12 March, and teams may reconsider their strategy to include Pakistani talent. Brook will focus on England's upcoming matches while Sunrisers prepare for their debut at the Oval
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Brook refuse to captain Sunrisers this season?
He said he wanted to step back from leadership duties and let the coaching staff handle team decisions.
How many Pakistani players are available for the auction?
Sixty-three players are eligible for the men's auction, with four more in the women's auction.
What impact could Pakistani players have on the Hundred?
They could increase fan interest, bring high skill levels, and enhance the competitive quality of the tournament.
Original Source
Brook says overlooking Pakistan players for The Hundred would be ‘a shame’ Captain urges four Indian-owned sides to think again Sunrisers Leeds player will not lead side this year Harry Brook has called on teams in this year’s Hundred to embrace Pakistan players after it was reported that they would not be considered by the tournament’s four Indian-owned sides. Brook, England’s white-ball captain, is contracted to Sunrisers Leeds, owned by the Indian media corporation the Sun Group, owners of the IPL side Sunrisers Hyderabad, and is the highest-paid player in the tournament. Some 63 Pakistan players will be available in the auction for the men’s tournament on 12 March, including all but two of those in their squad for the ongoing T20 World Cup, as well as four in the women’s auction scheduled for the previous day. Brook said the teams’ choice of which players to target was “not really any of our business”, but added: “What I would say is Pakistan have been a great cricket nation for many years. “I think there’s about 50 or 60 players in the auction and it would be a shame not to see some of them in there. There’s some amazing cricketers and they bring some great crowds as well. It would be a shame to not see some of the Pakistan players in there, and make the tournament even better.” The 26-year-old captained his side, then known as Northern Superchargers, in the 2024 and 2025 seasons but revealed on Saturday that at his own request he would not be leading them this summer. “I have already said I am not going to captain this year,” he said. “I am staying away from that stuff and will let the head coach and whoever is in charge control that.” Sunrisers play their first game at the Oval on 21 July, two days after Brook is due to captain England in an ODI against India at Lord’s. The final will be played on 16 August, three days before Brook is likely to represent England in the first of three Tests, as it happens against Pakistan, at Headingley, Sunrisers’ home ground...
