Former England captain Michael Vaughan has found himself at the centre of a heated online debate after calling on the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to intervene amid reports that IPL-owned franchises could leave out Pakistan players from the auction for The Hundred 2026.
The controversy has reignited conversations around franchise ownership, political tensions, and the broader question of whether cricket can truly remain insulated from geopolitics. While Vaughan positioned his appeal as a stand for inclusivity, a section of fans quickly turned the spotlight back on England’s own sporting decisions in recent years.
Michael Vaughan calls for ECB intervention after amid reports of IPL-owned franchises excluding Pakistan players from The Hundred 2026
The debate began after reports suggested that franchises linked to Indian Premier League ownership groups may not pursue Pakistan players at the upcoming auction for The Hundred 2026. Although no official policy has been announced, the speculation was enough to spark strong reactions across social media.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Vaughan urged the ECB to step in and prevent any such move.
“The ECB needs to act fast on this. They own the league, and this should not be allowed to happen. The most inclusive sport in the country is not one that allows this to happen,” Vaughan wrote.
The ECB need to act fast on this .. they own the league and this should not be allowed to happen .. the most inclusive sport in the country is not one that allows this to happen .. https://t.co/IYysTSIYHt
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 20, 2026
Also READ: Here’s why half of The Hundred teams might avoid signing Pakistani players in 2026
Fans accuse Vaughan of double standards
However, Vaughan’s comments did not go down well with a large section of fans. Many accused the former skipper of ignoring England’s own precedents when it comes to geopolitical decisions in sport.
Several users pointed out that the UK imposed restrictions on Russian and Belarusian athletes during sporting events following the Russia–Ukraine conflict. In tennis, Russian and Belarusian players were barred from competing at UK events in 2022 — a move that drew global attention at the time.
Others referenced England’s long-standing reluctance to tour Zimbabwe during the regime of former president Robert Mugabe. England had halted tours to Zimbabwe for years, citing political pressure, human rights concerns, and security risks. For many critics, these examples weakened Vaughan’s argument that sport in England has always stood above politics.
Another strand of criticism focused on the ECB’s decision to open The Hundred’s franchise stakes to Indian Premier League investors. Fans questioned whether it was contradictory to invite private ownership groups and then expect them not to operate according to their own strategic or political considerations.
Here’s how fans reacted:
The most “inclusive” board in cricket history (ECB) is yet to play Zimbabwe in the last 2 decades!! https://t.co/ngZKtP8XGC
— Slogger (@kirikraja) February 20, 2026
🚨Michael Vaughan talking about “protecting the game” now?
Cricket doesn’t belong to one board anymore. The Board of Control for Cricket in India changed the game, raised the standards, and built the biggest stage in world cricket while the
England and Wales Cricket Board just… https://t.co/Fk1IQZdOJO pic.twitter.com/jgW275RXVY
— lokesh logu (@lokiMSD93) February 20, 2026
why there are restrictions on Russian players in UK sports?… i have said many times that these people are jealous of us and will go to any lengths even supporting a rogue nation that harbors terrorism
and this is where bcci & gov failed miserably https://t.co/JeQD388pEu— @SA_SRK (@Srk_sa007) February 21, 2026
IOC has banned Russia for how long now 🤡 https://t.co/g10SZDsjMA
— Ujjwal Sinha उज्ज्वल सिन्हा (@ujjwal1976) February 20, 2026
Russian athletes can be banned but a country like Pakistan that is a breeding ground for terrorist is getting sympathy?
How many more innocent lives need to be lost before that country will take accountability of all the nonsense they do? https://t.co/wbF1MHzkfE— Karen Noronha 🇮🇳 ⊙⊝⊜ (@Karen_noronha09) February 20, 2026
Maybe run the league yourselves then and don’t go to Indian investors? https://t.co/YUWmTKKdjD
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) February 20, 2026
ECB has every right to say, ” we dont require money to run the franchise”. By the way is there any official communication saying so…Every Franchise has right to choose their own team…Dear Michael grow up now…when r u playing with Zim? https://t.co/CYPDAN7Tii
— Anand Bellad (@anandbellad) February 21, 2026
This is business why non performer pakistani players will be included ?? Why eCB not not giving NOC to PSL?? https://t.co/c2UBvPGqhR
— Ravi Singh (@ravimay25) February 20, 2026
Surprised by the outrage over Indian franchises not picking Pakistani players.
Franchise cricket runs on private capital — not charity. Investors put in massive money and make decisions based on business interests, not moral lectures.
If it’s so unfair, here’s a thought: bring… https://t.co/mRH9qQ4iI8
— The Nightwatchman (@SoyalSayyad) February 20, 2026
I love it when Ind-pak thing irritates English https://t.co/87NMmQBfQD
— Neel (@hypocrite_nri) February 20, 2026
There was a time when the winds of power blew from Britain to India; now the tide has turned, and Indian voices echo with strength in Britain. https://t.co/GIGJjCzA7x pic.twitter.com/xzPHSmWdmx
— Tarun🏏 (@Tarun113344) February 20, 2026
Buy your own team and then bring all the Pakistani players to please your unwanted commentary.
The owners has put their risk capital to buy the team and they have all the freedom to buy which player they want to represent their team. https://t.co/eWJMgTdSTB
— AJAYA KUMAR ROUT (@akrout81) February 20, 2026
