Pakistani stars in focus as The Hundred auction shortlists 14 Players

Over 400 players will go under the hammer in the much-anticipated auction of The Hundred on March 11 and 12, but for Pakistan cricket fans, the spotlight firmly rests on a strong national contingent making the cut.

The longlists for the 2026 auction were revealed with global names such as Joe Root, Davina Perrin, Nadine de Klerk and Shaheen Shah Afridi set to headline proceedings at Piccadilly Lights. Nearly 1,000 players registered for consideration, but only those nominated by at least one of the eight men’s or women’s teams made it to the final longlists.

From Pakistan, 14 players have been shortlisted — a significant representation that underlines the growing demand for Pakistani talent in franchise cricket. Leading the pack is pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi, alongside fellow speedsters Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah, forming a fearsome trio likely to attract strong bidding interest.

All-round options including Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim and Mohammad Nawaz add further depth, while mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed and leg-spinner Usama Mir bring variety to the spin department.

The list also features aggressive opener Saim Ayub, left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir, emerging quicks Zaman Khan and Akif Javed, as well as Salman Mirza and Usman Tariq — showcasing a blend of experience and youth.

The men’s auction alone will feature 247 players, including 2025 MVP Jordan Cox and international stars such as Finn Allen and Aiden Markram. Fifty marquee names from each longlist will enter Phase 1 of the auction, with the remaining players — and any unsold in the opening phase — rolling into Phases 2 and 3.

However, for Pakistani fans, the real intrigue lies in how many of the 14 shortlisted players secure contracts. With their T20 pedigree and match-winning credentials, Pakistan’s representatives could once again leave a strong imprint on one of England’s premier franchise competitions.