Hundred Auctions: Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed signed by Sunrisers Leeds

No Pakistan internationals were bought in the women’s auction on Wednesday, after which coaches of the 100 teams linked to the Indian Super League franchises told BBC Sport they had not been instructed to avoid Pakistani players.

There are 13 Pakistani players in the men’s auction after bowler Shaheen Afridi withdrew.

Neither Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan or Saim Ayyub attracted any bids when they were made available for sale on Thursday morning, although they may enter the auction block again later in the day.

Spinner Usman Tariq, the star of the recent T20 World Cup, has been the subject of offers from Birmingham Phoenix and Trent Rockets – two non-IPL franchises. Tariq was eventually bought by Phoenix for £140,000.

In the final sale of the morning, Abrar received bids from Sunrisers and The Rockets after entering with a base price of £75,000.

After obtaining Abrar’s signature, Sunrisers posted on X: “Abrar at Headingley, soon.”

The auctions are the latest stage in the Hundred’s revamp following the sale of the eight teams’ stakes last year.

Collectively, the franchises invest just over £7m in salaries each year in the women’s competition, and more than £16m a year in the men’s tournament.

For some owners, entry into the Hundred is an additional boost to their teams’ portfolio in franchise leagues around the world, while all investors are looking for a return on their expenses through merchandising deals, ticket sales and TV rights.