For months, whispers circled around whether Pakistani cricketers would find themselves sidelined from The Hundred following the arrival of new Indian investors. With four of the eight franchises now backed by India-based owners and two others by Indian-Americans, uncertainty was there. Especially against the backdrop of political tensions between India and Pakistan and the fact that no Pakistani player plays in the SA20 competition, a tournament also with Indian investors who have teams in the IPL.
Mohammed Amir, Imad Wasim IN
But on Monday, those doubts were put to rest when Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim signed up for the Northern Superchargers, owned by Kavya Maran’s Sun Group. It the same conglomerate that runs Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL. The duo came in as late replacements for Ben Dwarshuis and Mitchell Santner.
Earlier this year, ECB chief Richard Gould had assured that franchise ownership changes would not dictate player eligibility. Yet, when no Pakistani men’s cricketers were picked in the March draft, eyebrows were raised. Some blamed it on scheduling clashes with Pakistan’s white-ball tour of the West Indies and a tri-series in the UAE.
Interestingly, Ben Stokes will also be around the team in a mentoring role as he continues his shoulder rehabilitation, creating a star-studded atmosphere in the Superchargers camp. Harry Brook is the captain, with Superchargers first match scheduled for August 7 against Welsh Fire.
The Hundred 2025 replacements so far
- London Spirit: John Simpson & Dan Douthwaite in for Jamie Smith & Ollie Pope (Aug 5)
- Manchester Originals: Mark Chapman in for Rachin Ravindra (Aug 6-13); Farhan Ahmed in for Marchant de Lange; Amuruthaa Surenkumar for Ella McCaughan
- Northern Superchargers: Imad Wasim in for Mitchell Santner (Aug 7-10); Mohammad Amir in for Ben Dwarshuis
- Trent Rockets: Akeal Hosein in for George Linde (Aug 10-14)
