In a recent players auction for England's franchise league, The Hundred, the Sunrisers Leeds team acquired Pakistani spinner Abrar Ahmed for £190,000 (approximately ₹2.34 crores). The ownership of Sunrisers Leeds lies with the Sun Group, which also owns the Indian Premier League (IPL) team Sunrisers Hyderabad. This acquisition has sparked significant backlash, with critics questioning why such a decision was made despite the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan. Some fans feel that this purchase is inappropriate given the historical context of the two countries' relations.

Sunil Gavaskar, a former captain of the Indian cricket team, voiced his concerns in his column for the newspaper Mid-Day. He stated that the controversy surrounding the acquisition of Abrar should not come as a surprise, especially when considering the strained relationship between India and Pakistan and the incidents over the years that have heightened these tensions. His comments reflect a broader sentiment among many cricket fans who are wary of any association with Pakistani players amidst ongoing geopolitical conflicts.

Gavaskar also referenced significant past events, such as the 2008 Mumbai attacks, as contexts for the strong reactions from the Indian public regarding this acquisition. The situation has raised questions about how sports and politics intersect, particularly in the cricketing world, where loyalties often drive the narrative. This scenario highlights the delicate balance teams must maintain when operating in a politically charged environment, especially in relation to players from rival nations.