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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Sport
David Charlesworth

Sunil Gavaskar slams Indian-owned Hundred team over Pakistani player

  • Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has strongly criticised Indian-owned Hundred team Sunrisers Leeds for signing Pakistani spinner Abrar Ahmed.
  • Gavaskar argued that payments to Pakistani players, through income tax, could indirectly fund arms purchases by their government, contributing to the deaths of Indian soldiers and civilians.
  • He highlighted the long-standing exclusion of Pakistani players from the Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2009 due to geopolitical tensions.
  • Gavaskar questioned the owner's priorities, stating that winning a tournament should not be more important than Indian lives, and called for the decision to be reversed.
  • The signing led to significant online backlash and the suspension of Sunrisers Leeds' X account, despite head coach Daniel Vettori previously stating he had no orders to avoid certain individuals.

IN FULL

Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar condemns Indian-owned Hundred team for signing Pakistan spinner

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