'Paying Pakistan Players Contribute To Killing Of Indians': Sunil Gavaskar Lashes Out At Sunrisers Leeds

New Delhi: The controversy surrounding the acquisition of a Pakistani player by a franchise owned by the Indian conglomerate Sun Group—in England's cricket league, 'The Hundred'—has yet to subside. Sunrisers Leeds acquired Abrar Ahmed during the recently concluded auction. This move sparked a sharp backlash on social media in India. Now, legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has stated that such intense reactions are only natural. He has criticized Sunrisers Leeds' decision in extremely scathing terms. Gavaskar asserted that the fees paid to Pakistani cricketers amount to contributing to the deaths of Indians.

What is the issue?

Kavya Maran serves as the co-owner of Sunrisers Leeds. During 'The Hundred' auction, her franchise purchased Pakistani spinner Abrar Ahmed for £190,000—an amount equivalent to approximately ₹2.3 crore in Indian currency. Furthermore, following the auction, Sunrisers coach Daniel Vettori revealed that another Pakistani spinner, Usman Tariq, was also on the franchise's radar.

What did Sunil Gavaskar say?

In his column for *Mid-Day*, Sunil Gavaskar wrote: "The uproar caused by an Indian-owned franchise acquiring a Pakistani player in 'The Hundred' comes as absolutely no surprise. Ever since the Mumbai terror attacks in November 2008, Indian franchise owners have steered clear of Pakistani players in the IPL. Better late than never, the realization dawned that the fees paid to any Pakistani player indirectly contribute to the deaths of Indian soldiers and civilians. Pakistani players pay income tax to their government on the earnings they receive; that revenue is subsequently used to purchase weapons and ammunition. It is for this very reason that Indian entities have ceased inviting Pakistani artists and sportspersons."

Gavaskar further added: "If an Indian entity—or any of its overseas subsidiaries—makes such a payment, and the owner is Indian, then they are effectively contributing to Indian casualties. It is a matter of simple logic. The coach of 'The Hundred' team [Sunrisers Leeds], Daniel Vettori, hails from New Zealand." Perhaps he failed to grasp this simple reality; consequently, he sought to include some Pakistani players in his team. However, the owner ought to have possessed a clear understanding of the prevailing circumstances and should have discouraged such an acquisition. Is winning a tournament in a format that no other country plays truly more important than the lives of Indians?

Did Pakistan players play in IPL?

When the IPL commenced in 2008, Pakistani players also participated in it. That very year, in November, terrorists hailing from Pakistan launched a horrific attack on Mumbai. Following the Mumbai terror attacks, a ban was imposed on the participation of Pakistani players in the IPL. Eleven years later, in 2019, a suicide attack was carried out against a CRPF convoy in Pulwama. Just last year, in Pahalgam, Pakistani terrorists brutally murdered tourists after inquiring about their religious identities.