SunRisers Leeds' official X account was suspended hours after the franchise secured Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed at The Hundred player auction. The deal, worth $255,000 (around Rs 2.35 crore), made Ahmed the first Pakistani cricketer to join an Indian-owned franchise in the competition.
The platform has not provided any explanation for the action. However, anyone attempting to access the account is met with a message stating that it has been suspended. X typically enforces such measures when accounts are found to be in breach of its rules.
"Account suspended. X suspends accounts which violate our rules," the message read.
The decision drew a sharp reaction in India, with several fans voicing criticism on social media. Many targeted the franchise and its owner, Kavya Maran, accusing them of disregarding public sentiment by signing a Pakistani player.
"These people are just bothered about money. Shame on SRH to pick the Pakistani who mocks Indians. Fans should make them pay the price by shaming them in IPL," said one user.
A person wrote, "Just saw the news about the SRH-owned team picking a Pakistan player in the auction. Do these owners even care about the fans' sentiments? To see an IPL-backed team go and do this is a total slap in the face. Absolute disgrace."
"Every one was questioning about KKR but now every one silent on SRH they bought a Pakistani Players who mocked India now he will play for Indian franchise in the Hundred," remarked another user.
During the Hundred men's player auction, Maran was seen at the bidding table alongside head coach Daniel Vettori. In the lead-up to the auction, there had been intense speculation on whether the four Indian-owned teams in the competition would pursue Pakistani players, following reports of a possible informal restriction.
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The franchise ownership has not issued any statement in response to the criticism so far. However, head coach Daniel Vettori said the move was driven purely by auction dynamics, explaining that the team turned to Abrar Ahmed after Adil Rashid was no longer available.
The Sun Group, owners of Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League, secured complete ownership of the former Northern Superchargers in 2025.
The company acquired a 49% holding from the England and Wales Cricket Board, while the remaining 51% was bought from Yorkshire County Cricket Club for roughly £100 million (about Rs 1,232 crore). Kavya Maran, the Sunrisers chief executive, attended the auction and raised the paddle on behalf of the franchise.
The group also owns Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the SA20, although that squad currently features no Pakistani players.
The Pakistan leg-spinner became the second player from the country to be picked during the auction, after mystery spinner Usman Tariq was secured by Birmingham Phoenix for $187,000 (approximately Rs 1.72 crore).
The tournament is set to be played from July 21 to Aug. 16.
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