\n<\/p>\n
“All eight teams commit to selection being based solely on cricketing performance, availability, and the needs of each team,” read the statement. <\/p>\n
“The ECB is committed to ensuring there is no place for discrimination, and has regulations in place to take robust action to tackle any such conduct. <\/p>\n
“Players must not be excluded on the grounds of their nationality.”<\/p>\n
In messages seen by the BBC, a senior ECB official indicated to an agent that interest in his Pakistan players would be limited to sides not linked to the IPL.<\/p>\n
Four of The Hundred’s eight franchises – Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave and Sunrisers Leeds – are now at least part-owned by companies that control IPL teams.<\/p>\n
Another agent described the situation as “an unwritten rule” across T20 leagues with Indian investment.<\/p>\n
The ECB and the franchise teams said they were committed “to ensuring The Hundred continues to be a competition that is inclusive, welcoming and open to all”.<\/p>\n
“We want The Hundred to feature the very best talent from across the world, and will continue working proactively to ensure that the competition is a benchmark for inclusivity,” it added.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n