Abrar is facing the country v club debate, and he will have to decide whether to join the national team for red-ball cricket or his franchise for white-ball cricket, a report in Telecom Asia Sport said. \u201cAbrar and his agent are in a fix because if he is selected for the Test team to play in the West Indies, it will affect his participation in The Hundred, which will start four days before the first Test,\u201d sources said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Hundred starts from July 21, while the first Test commences on July 25.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Abrar\u2019s signing caused a major controversy in Indian cricket circles as the Kavya Maran-owned franchise Sunrisers Leeds came under fire for signing the Pakistani player for a big sum of 190,000 pounds (approx. INR 2.3 crore). <\/p>\r\n\r\n
Kavya Maran had faced online backlash with fans criticising the move and accusing the franchise of ignoring national sentiment. The controversy intensified after reports suggested that Kavya herself raised the paddle during the bidding war that secured the services of a Pakistani spinner.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sources close to Abrar\u2019s agent said it would be a big blow if the spinner is not released to take part in The Hundred. \u201cSunrisers Leeds owner has faced backlash from 140 billion people and has resisted that, so it will be imperative that Abrar plays in The Hundred,\u201d sources told telecomasia.net.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pakistan's national selection committee is due to announce the squad for the two-Test series on Monday, and they are considering Abrar as they need a leg-spinner, who is seen as a strong weapon against the West Indies batters. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
India halted bilateral cricket with Pakistan in the wake of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, blamed on militants based across the border. The two countries only play each other in multi-national events like the World Cup, Champions Trophy, and Asia Cup.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pakistan's national selection committee is due to announce the squad for the two-Test series on Monday, and they are considering Abrar as they need a leg-spinner, who is seen as a strong weapon against the West Indies batters. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
Since then, Pakistani players have been banned from the IPL, while all Indian owners of teams in Leagues around the world do not select them. It was only following a threat by the England and Wales Cricket Board that \"no discrimination\" would be allowed against Pakistan players that Sunrisers Leeds bought Abrar in the auction.<\/p>\r\n\r\n