JuicyTalk
Former England all-rounder Moeen Ali has issued a stark warning to the organizers of The Hundred, stating that players will take action if Indian-owned franchises deliberately boycott Pakistan cricketers. Speaking on February 23, 2026, Moeen expressed deep concern over reports that the tournament’s newly privatized teams, specifically those with IPL ties, might enforce a ‘shadow ban’ during the upcoming March auction. With 63 Pakistan players registered for the draft, the potential exclusion has sparked a fierce debate over the integrity of English cricket’s flagship competition and the influence of overseas private investment.
“These kind of things have been happening for ages now”: Moeen Ali
The controversy centers on the four franchises recently acquired by IPL-linked entities: Manchester Super Giants (RPSG), MI London (Reliance), Southern Brave (GMR), and Sunrisers Leeds (Sun Group).
Several media reports suggest an ‘unwritten rule. is in play, where these teams, following the precedent set by their parent IPL organizations, will not bid for Pakistan talent. Moeen highlighted that while players often stay silent to avoid ‘getting in trouble’ with powerful global owners who control leagues everywhere, the prospect of this trend entering the UK is unacceptable. He pointed out that this silence stems from a fear that speaking out could affect a player’s career, but he urged that the time for a solution is now because the current situation is “not fair” and “horrible.”
“These kind of things have been happening for ages now it’s time for a solution, because it’s not fair – it’s obviously discriminating against certain type of people. It’s horrible. I just find it strange that no one really talks about it too much. Especially at the top, no one really mentions it. People have not been speaking about it so they don’t get in trouble. It’s such a difficult one, because all these teams are everywhere in every league. So now if players speak out, or if they say anything, then it affects their career. It’s a difficult position for players to be in. When you’re an older player like myself, you don’t really care too much.” Moeen was quoted as saying by the News18.
ECB reminds all eight franchises of mandatory anti-discrimination duties
In response to the mounting pressure, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has reportedly taken the step of writing to all eight franchises to remind them of their mandatory anti-discrimination responsibilities. The tournament remains under the jurisdiction of the independent cricket regulator, and the ECB has warned that any evidence of a blanket ban based on nationality will be met with scrutiny.
\Moeen noted that while other countries may operate differently, the UK has a more robust system for addressing these concerns. The franchises now face a complex dilemma: maintaining their domestic political stance or risking a head-on collision with the UK’s strict regulatory and legal frameworks regarding fair employment and selection.
“In the UK, I’m not sure that can happen – and I hope it doesn’t happen. It just shouldn’t happen, hopefully it won’t happen. We just have to wait and see if it does, but I think it’d be a massive shame, and I’m sure the ECB will definitely keep an eye out. There’ll be a group of players that will speak up. There’ll be things done about it. I think players should speak up. Anyone that has any sort of concern for these kind of things – it doesn’t matter if they have Pakistani heritage – should speak up.” Moeen added.
A united front against discrimination towards Pakistan players in The Hundred
Moeen Ali did not mince words when discussing the impact of these reports, predicting that a significant group of players would lead a public protest if the snub occurs. He emphasized that the issue transcends heritage, calling on all players with concerns to find their voice.
By speaking out, Moeen hopes to embolden other cricketers to prioritize fairness over professional safety, especially as the news is still “very new” and the full extent of the franchise strategies has yet to be seen in the auction room. His verdict serves as a preemptive strike against any attempts to bring external political biases into the English domestic summer.
“Obviously, the news is very new. So I’ve not really had a chance to speak to anyone, but most of the players would be on the same page. It’d be really interesting to see what happens, because I genuinely think other countries can do what they want, obviously we’re not in control of those things, but in the UK, we have a bit more say about these things.” Moeen concluded.
