Pakistani players absent from The Hundred due to scheduling

In the recent draft for The Hundred, none of the 45 registered male players from Pakistan were selected. This marks the first time in the tournament's five editions that no Pakistani players will participate. Some are speculating that the involvement of Indian IPL team owners may be influencing this outcome. However, experts argue that other factors are more significant. These include Pakistan's poor performances in recent white-ball matches and conflicts with scheduling. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has specific regulations that impact player participation as well. Historically, Pakistani players participated in the IPL until a ban was imposed in 2008 after the Mumbai terror attacks. The trend continues, as Pakistani players also face challenges in other T20 leagues worldwide, including SA20 and ILT20, where very few Pakistani players are involved. ECB CEO Richard Gould emphasized that ties to the IPL would not prevent Pakistani players from joining The Hundred. He acknowledged existing restrictions in other leagues but assured that The Hundred would be different. Pakistan's disappointing results in the last three ICC tournaments are a concern. There are currently no standout Pakistani players attracting interest from franchises. Furthermore, Pakistani players have international commitments during the timeframe of The Hundred, including matches against West Indies and Afghanistan. The PCB's strict stance on issuing No Objection Certificates (NOCs) has also impacted participation. For instance, Naseem Shah was denied an NOC for The Hundred last year, and similar restrictions have applied to other key players. The PCB cites workload management as the reason for these decisions. Franchises have expressed frustration, noting instances where players withdrew at the last minute due to NOC issues. This has led to discussions about players potentially striking over contract issues. Limited exposure to modern cricket through franchise leagues is often blamed for Pakistan's struggles in international tournaments. Recently, some players, like Mohammad Amir, have retired from international cricket to focus on T20 leagues, raising concerns about future participation in global competitions.