Former England all-rounder Moeen Ali has issued a stark warning to the organizers of The Hundred, stating that gamers will take motion if Indian-owned franchises intentionally boycott Pakistan cricketers. Talking on February 23, 2026, Moeen expressed deep concern over studies that the match’s newly privatized groups, particularly these with IPL ties, would possibly implement a ‘shadow ban’ through the upcoming March public sale. With 63 Pakistan gamers registered for the draft, the potential exclusion has sparked a fierce debate over the integrity of English cricket’s flagship competitors and the affect of abroad personal funding.
“These type of issues have been taking place for ages now”: Moeen Ali
The controversy facilities on the 4 franchises just lately acquired by IPL-linked entities: Manchester Tremendous Giants (RPSG), MI London (Reliance), Southern Courageous (GMR), and Sunrisers Leeds (Solar Group).
A number of media studies counsel an ‘unwritten rule. is in play, the place these groups, following the precedent set by their father or mother IPL organizations, is not going to bid for Pakistan expertise. Moeen highlighted that whereas gamers typically keep silent to keep away from ‘getting in hassle’ with highly effective international house owners who management leagues all over the place, the prospect of this pattern coming into the UK is unacceptable. He identified that this silence stems from a worry that talking out may have an effect on a participant’s profession, however he urged that the time for an answer is now as a result of the present scenario is “not honest” and “horrible.”
“These type of issues have been taking place for ages now it’s time for an answer, as a result of it’s not honest – it’s clearly discriminating towards sure kind of individuals. It’s horrible. I simply discover it unusual that nobody actually talks about it an excessive amount of. Particularly on the prime, nobody actually mentions it. Folks haven’t been talking about it so that they don’t get in hassle. It’s such a tough one, as a result of all these groups are all over the place in each league. So now if gamers communicate out, or if they are saying something, then it impacts their profession. It’s a tough place for gamers to be in. If you’re an older participant like myself, you don’t actually care an excessive amount of.” Moeen was quoted as saying by the News18.
Additionally READ: ‘A shame’: England’s T20 World Cup 2026 captain Harry Brook criticizes potential Pakistan ban in The Hundred
ECB reminds all eight franchises of necessary anti-discrimination duties
In response to the mounting strain, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has reportedly taken the step of writing to all eight franchises to remind them of their necessary anti-discrimination tasks. The match stays underneath the jurisdiction of the impartial cricket regulator, and the ECB has warned that any proof of a blanket ban based mostly on nationality will likely be met with scrutiny.
Moeen famous that whereas different nations might function in another way, the UK has a extra strong system for addressing these considerations. The franchises now face a posh dilemma: sustaining their home political stance or risking a head-on collision with the UK’s strict regulatory and authorized frameworks relating to honest employment and choice.
“Within the UK, I’m unsure that may occur – and I hope it doesn’t occur. It simply shouldn’t occur, hopefully it gained’t occur. We simply have to attend and see if it does, however I feel it’d be an enormous disgrace, and I’m certain the ECB will certainly preserve an eye fixed out. There’ll be a bunch of gamers that may communicate up. There’ll be issues completed about it. I feel gamers ought to communicate up. Anybody that has any form of concern for these type of issues – it doesn’t matter if they’ve Pakistani heritage – ought to communicate up.” Moeen added.
A united entrance towards discrimination in the direction of Pakistan gamers in The Hundred
Moeen Ali didn’t mince phrases when discussing the influence of those studies, predicting {that a} vital group of gamers would lead a public protest if the snub happens. He emphasised that the problem transcends heritage, calling on all gamers with considerations to search out their voice.
By talking out, Moeen hopes to embolden different cricketers to prioritize equity over skilled security, particularly because the information continues to be “very new” and the total extent of the franchise methods has but to be seen within the public sale room. His verdict serves as a preemptive strike towards any makes an attempt to deliver exterior political biases into the English home summer time.
“Clearly, the information may be very new. So I’ve probably not had an opportunity to talk to anybody, however many of the gamers can be on the identical web page. It’d be actually attention-grabbing to see what occurs, as a result of I genuinely suppose different nations can do what they need, clearly we’re not accountable for these issues, however within the UK, we’ve got a bit extra say about this stuff.” Moeen concluded.
Additionally READ: Michael Vaughan faces backlash after urging ECB to curb Indian owners over Pakistan players’ snub from The Hundred 2026
