Kavya Maran Breaks Silence on Abrar Ahmed Row… But Her One-Line Reply Leaves Questions Unanswered

Sunrisers Hyderabad CEO and Sunrisers Leeds co-owner Kavya Maran has chosen not to address the controversy surrounding the signing of Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed for The Hundred 2026, offering only a brief response when questioned about the issue.

The franchise’s decision to acquire Abrar Ahmed during The Hundred player draft sparked widespread debate among cricket fans. Maran, who was present during the auction, approved the signing of the Pakistani leg-spinner for £190,000 (approximately ₹2.45 crore).

However, when asked about the criticism during an interview with The Telegraph, Maran refrained from discussing the controversy.”We are really happy with both our squads; we have so many bases covered,” she said, without directly responding to questions about the backlash.

Abrar Ahmed’s signing fuels debate

The inclusion of Abrar Ahmed attracted significant attention due to the ongoing sporting and political sensitivities surrounding Indian and Pakistani cricket. While the signing has generated mixed reactions online, neither Sunrisers Leeds nor Kavya Maran has issued any detailed statement regarding the criticism.

Instead, Maran highlighted her confidence in the balance of both the men’s and women’s squads ahead of the upcoming edition of The Hundred.

Jacob Bethell ruled out with injury

Meanwhile, England all-rounder Jacob Bethell has suffered a major setback after being ruled out of The Hundred 2026 because of a right knee injury.

According to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Bethell sustained the injury during the recent ODI series against India. An MRI scan confirmed the issue, and the 21-year-old will now begin rehabilitation.

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The ECB has not provided a timeline for his return, leaving uncertainty over his availability for England’s upcoming Test series against Pakistan, which begins on August 19 at Headingley.

Captaincy plans disrupted

Bethell’s absence is a significant blow for Birmingham Phoenix, who had retained him on a £340,000 contract and appointed him captain for the 2026 season.

The franchise, jointly owned by Warwickshire and Knighthead Capital, had placed considerable faith in the young all-rounder, who is regarded as one of England’s brightest future leaders.

Expressing his disappointment, Bethell said he was frustrated to miss the tournament, especially the opportunity to represent Birmingham Phoenix in front of the home crowd at Edgbaston. He added that his immediate priority is to complete rehabilitation and return to full fitness.

A rising star for England

Over the past year, Jacob Bethell has emerged as one of England’s most promising cricketers. He previously captained the national side to a T20I series victory over Ireland during Harry Brook’s absence and is widely viewed as a potential future captain in both the red-ball and white-ball formats.

While attention remains focused on the debate surrounding Abrar Ahmed’s signing, The Hundred 2026 has already been impacted by Bethell’s injury, creating fresh challenges for Birmingham Phoenix ahead of the tournament.