Several Pakistan cricketers suffered disappointing results in the 2026 men’s and women’s cricket auctions, with fast bowler Haris Rauf unsold and ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi withdrawing before the bidding began. Teams are already expected to be wary of overseas spots, limiting opportunities for international players during the auction period.Pakistan’s Afridi was initially included in the first-tier fast bowler category and had previously represented the Wales Flames. However, he was one of five overseas players to withdraw shortly before the auction. European Central Bank confirms Quinton de KockSunil Narine, AM Ghazanfar and Peter Siddle also dropped out.
Possible reasons include conflicts with the Caribbean Premier League and other international commitments. After Afridi’s exit, there are still 13 Pakistani players available in the men’s auction pool.The withdrawal comes at a time when Pakistan’s qualification for the tournament is under scrutiny. In response, the ECB and eight teams issued a joint clarification stressing that all selections will be based on “performance, availability and the needs of each team”.Meanwhile, things were already tough for Pakistan in the women’s auction held the day before. No Pakistani female player was able to get a contract. Left-hand batsman Muneeba Ali, fast bowler Diana Baig, left-arm spinner Sadiya Iqbal and national team captain Fatima Sana were all in the auction with a base price of £15,000, but there were no bids.Pakistan’s performance in this year’s hundred has been significantly reduced due to a number of player withdrawals and unsold players, underscoring how scheduling conflicts and limited overseas spots can strongly influence team selection in the tournament.
