Kavya Maran and Abrar Ahmed (Photo: AP, Getty Images) NEW DELHI: The signing of Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed by Sunrisers Leeds, a Sun TV Network-owned group headed by Kavya Maran, has created a major controversy in India and prompted a sharp reaction from legendary batsman Sunil Gavaskar. The former captain said that Indian-owned franchises should refrain from signing Pakistani players, arguing that such payments could indirectly contribute to the detriment of India.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SIGN UP NOW!Abrar was bought for £190,000 during The Hundred’s inaugural men’s auction in London, making him the first Pakistani cricketer to be selected by an Indian-owned team in the competition. The move sparked a strong backlash online, with the franchise’s social media accounts facing heavy criticism and even a temporary suspension.Gavaskar, in his lunchtime column, said the outrage was understandable given the long-standing stance Indian cricket had taken since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which saw Pakistan players effectively banned from the Indian Premier League. “The uproar created by the Indian franchise owner’s acquisition of a Pakistani player in The Hundred is hardly surprising,” wrote Gavaskar.He claimed that payments made to Pakistani players ultimately flow back to their government through taxes. “The realization that the fees they pay to a Pakistani player, who then pays income tax to their government, which buys arms and weapons, indirectly contributes to the deaths of Indian soldiers and civilians, forces Indian entities to desist from even considering having Pakistani artists and sportspersons,” he said.Gavaskar added that whether the payment comes from an Indian company or a foreign subsidiary, the responsibility still lies with the owner. “If the owner is an Indian, then he is contributing to Indian sacrifices. It’s that simple,” he wrote, questioning whether the franchise’s tournament success was more important than national sentiment.He also warned that fans could express their anger publicly. “It will come as no surprise that every match this team plays there will be massive demonstrations by Indian fans protesting this hard-to-believe purchase,” Gavaskar said, adding that crowds may even boycott matches despite the presence of star players.Meanwhile, Sunrisers Leeds head coach Daniel Vettori defended the decision as purely cricketing, explaining that the franchise moved for Abrar after missing out on England leg-spinner Adil Rashid during the auction. According to Vettori, Abrara’s variation and ability to strike at power-ups made him an attractive option, particularly at Headingley.Board of India vice-president Rajeev Shukla also clarified that the Board of Control for Cricket in India cannot interfere in the matter as the signing of the contract involves a foreign league, leaving the final call to the franchise itself.
