Pakistani Women Snubbed in Hundred Auction; IPL-Backed Teams Under Scrutiny

• Sadia Iqbal (world #1 T20I bowler) and Fatima Sana (world #6 T20I all-rounder) went unsold at The Hundred Women's auction, each with a base price of 15,000 pounds.
• This occurred despite an ECB statement against discrimination, following reports that IPL-backed teams might avoid Pakistani players.
• Four Hundred teams are now backed by IPL franchises: Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave, and SunRisers Leeds.
• No Pakistani woman cricketer has ever played in The Hundred, a trend predating IPL franchise involvement.
• In contrast, India's Richa Ghosh (50,000 pounds) and Deepti Sharma (27,000 pounds) were sold, with Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues pre-signed.