Haris Raouf (agency photo)
Many Pakistani cricketers witnessed a disappointing outcome around the 2026 Hundred Auction across the men’s and women’s categories, with fast bowler Haris Rauf unsold and ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi pulling out just before the bidding began.
Teams were already expected to be cautious with their overseas venues, limiting opportunities for international players during the auction.Pakistan’s Afridi was originally included in the Tier 1 fast bowlers category and previously represented Welsh Fire in the tournament. However, he was among five foreign players to withdraw shortly before the auction. The ECB confirmed that Quinton de Kock, Sunil Narine, AM Ghazanfar and Peter Seidel had also withdrawn.
EXCLUSIVE: Rahul Dravid talks about the famous Eden Gardens win over Australia in 2001
Possible reasons included clashes with the Caribbean Premier League and other international commitments. Afridi’s withdrawal still leaves 13 Pakistani players available in the men’s auction pool.The withdrawals came at a time when there was scrutiny over Pakistan’s participation in the tournament. In response, the ECB and the eight companies issued a joint clarification, stressing that all selections would depend on “performance, availability and the needs of each team.”
Meanwhile, the situation was already difficult for Pakistan at the women’s auction held the previous day. None of the Pakistani players were able to get a contract. Left-handed batsman Muniba Ali, fast bowler Diana Baig, left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal, and national skipper Fatima Sana all entered the auction with a base price of ₹15,000, but none of them received bids.With several players withdrawing and players unsold, Pakistan’s attendance in this year’s Hundred Championship has declined significantly, highlighting how scheduling conflicts and limited overseas locations can strongly impact a franchise’s selections in the competition.