Mustafizur Rahman lands deal as two Pakistan players also picked: The Hundred Auction 2026 Mustafizur Rahman, the experienced left-arm spinner, has secured a deal in The Hundred Auction 2026, joining Birmingham Phoenix. His signing has drawn attention, as the auction also saw the inclusion of two Pakistan players. Mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed was acquired by Sunrisers Leeds for GBP 190,000 (approximately Rs 2.34 crore) following a competitive bidding process with Trent Rockets. This move is notable because Sunrisers Leeds is owned by the Chennai-based Sun Group, making Abrar the first Pakistan player to join an Indian-owned franchise in the competition. Another Pakistan spinner, Usman Tariq, was signed by Birmingham Phoenix for GBP 140,000 (around Rs 1.72 crore). However, Birmingham Phoenix does not have a direct connection to any IPL franchise. Several other prominent Pakistan players failed to attract bids during the auction. Fast bowler Haris Rauf, all-rounder Saim Ayub, and spinner Shadab Khan remained unsold, while seasoned pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi had previously withdrawn from the auction. Among the notable deals of the day, Sussex all-rounder James Coles secured the highest bid, joining London Spirit for GBP 390,000 (approximately Rs 4.8 crore). The upcoming edition of The Hundred is set to run from July 21 to August 16. For detailed match schedules, venues, and timings, fans can refer to the full IPL 2026 fixtures and team-wise match dates. The auction highlights the growing interest in international talent as teams aim to strengthen their squads for the upcoming season. The inclusion of Pakistan players like Abrar Ahmed and Usman Tariq underscores the competition’s appeal to global stars, despite challenges in securing bids for some high-profile names.#mustafizur_rahman #sunrisers_leeds #birmingham_phoenix #abrar_ahmed #sun_group
