Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf became the first player from his country to go under the hammer at the inaugural Men’s Hundred auction on March 12, 2026, but failed to attract a single bid.
Despite carrying a base price of £100,000 and having previously represented Welsh Fire in the competition, none of the eight franchises showed interest in the right-arm quick.
His snub comes amid growing concerns over the involvement of Pakistan players in the tournament following the entry of IPL franchise owners.
Why Did No Franchise Bid for Haris Rauf
The silence across the auction room when Rauf’s name was called told its own story. The fast bowler had been a familiar face in The Hundred, turning out for Welsh Fire in previous editions.
However, the landscape of the competition has shifted dramatically with four IPL franchises now involved as part owners or full owners.
Mumbai Indians control MI London, Lucknow Super Giants back Manchester Super Giants, Sunrisers Hyderabad own Sunrisers Leeds, and Delhi Capitals are behind Southern Brave.
Questions had been raised ahead of the auction about whether Pakistan players would face resistance, and Rauf’s snub will only intensify that debate.
All franchises alongside the ECB had released a joint statement prior to the auction confirming that no player would be sidelined based on nationality. Yet the outcome for Rauf suggests the reality may not fully align with those assurances.
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Big Money Moves Dominate Opening Rounds
While Rauf walked away empty-handed, English players commanded massive fees in the early rounds.
Welsh Fire were the biggest spenders, securing 2025 season MVP Jordan Cox for a record £300,000 and former England captain Joe Root for £240,000.
Southern Brave snapped up spinner Adil Rashid for £250,000, while MI London signed James Vince for £190,000.
South Africa’s Daryl Mitchell also went unsold alongside Rauf, but it is the Pakistan speedster’s rejection that will dominate headlines and raise uncomfortable questions about the tournament’s commitment to equal opportunity for all nationalities.
