Harry Brook Says Pakistani Players Missing The Hundred Would Be a Real Shame for Cricket
England batter Harry Brook has stepped into a debate that goes well beyond the boundary ropes. Speaking ahead of England’s Super Eight fixture at the T20 World Cup 2026, Brook made it clear — Pakistani players belong in The Hundred, and cricket would be worse off without them. Keep up with all the latest news and talking points from the T20 World Cup 2026 news and updates section.
Brook’s exact position in one line: It’s not England’s call to make, but Pakistani cricketers bring genuine quality and massive crowds — and The Hundred would miss them.
What Brook Actually Said
Brook didn’t mince his words, even while acknowledging the political and administrative complexity of the situation. Here’s the key quote broken down:
| Brook’s Point | What He Meant |
|---|---|
| “Not really our business” | PCB and ECB negotiations are for boards to resolve |
| “Pakistan is a great cricket nation” | Respect for Pakistan’s cricketing legacy |
| “Shame if they miss out” | Personal view — their absence would hurt the competition |
| “They bring quality and big crowds” | Pakistan players are box office — fans love watching them |
This is a measured but meaningful statement. Brook isn’t demanding anything, but he’s putting it on record that from a cricket standpoint, Pakistani players enrich any competition they participate in.
Why This Statement Matters Right Now
The timing is significant. Brook made these comments during the T20 World Cup 2026, where Pakistan and England are both competing in the Super Eights — and both nations’ players are potential Hundred participants.
The Hundred has grown into one of the most-watched domestic T20 competitions in the world. Its value goes up significantly when global superstars — including the likes of Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Mohammad Rizwan — are available to play. Pakistani fans travel, they watch, and they engage with content in enormous numbers. That is a commercial reality that no franchise competition can afford to ignore.
Why Pakistani Players in The Hundred Is a Big Deal
- Pakistan produces some of the world’s most exciting T20 players
- Pakistani diaspora in the UK is one of the largest cricket fan bases in England
- Star Pakistani players like Babar Azam and Shaheen attract massive viewership
- Their presence directly impacts ticket sales, broadcast numbers, and social engagement
- The Hundred’s global expansion depends on having world-class talent from every nation
The Background: PCB and ECB Relations
The relationship between the Pakistan Cricket Board and the England and Wales Cricket Board has not always been smooth sailing. Scheduling conflicts, bilateral series tensions, and NOC (No Objection Certificate) issues have historically complicated Pakistani players’ participation in overseas leagues.
The Hundred has faced these challenges before. In previous editions, PCB’s NOC policy meant some players were available while others weren’t — creating an inconsistent picture for franchise owners and fans alike.
Brook’s comment — “it’s not really our business” — reflects that England players understand the situation is out of their hands. But his public support sends a clear signal: at the player level, there is a genuine desire to see Pakistani cricketers involved.
What Pakistani Players Bring to The Hundred
Brook’s point about “quality and big crowds” is not just polite diplomacy — it’s backed by numbers. Look at what Pakistani players have delivered in franchise cricket globally:
- Babar Azam — one of the most consistent T20 batters in the world, massive commercial draw
- Shaheen Shah Afridi — left-arm pace, powerplay nightmare for any batting lineup
- Mohammad Rizwan — elite wicketkeeper-batter, consistently among top run-scorers
- Shadab Khan — leg-spin and lower-order batting, always entertaining
- Fakhar Zaman — explosive opening batter with big-match experience
Any Hundred team with one or two of these names becomes an immediate contender — and a crowd-puller.
For fans wanting to see how these very players are performing right now on the biggest stage, check out the full squads at T20 WC 2026 where Pakistan’s best are in action.
England vs Pakistan — Rivals on the Field, Respectful Off It
There is something genuinely refreshing about Brook’s comments, especially given that England and Pakistan are effectively rivals in the Super Eights Group 2. England face Pakistan in Pallekele on Tuesday — yet here is Brook publicly advocating for Pakistani players’ inclusion in an English competition.
That’s the nature of cricket. On the field, you compete hard. Off it, you recognise what other nations bring to the sport. Brook gets that, and his comments will resonate across Pakistani cricket fans worldwide.
Follow the T20 WC 2026 Super Eights schedule to track when England and Pakistan face each other in what promises to be a high-stakes clash in the coming days.
What Needs to Happen for Pakistani Players to Feature in The Hundred
The path forward requires agreement between the PCB and ECB on several fronts — scheduling cooperation, NOC processes, and mutual respect for each board’s calendar. Both boards have incentives to make it work:
- ECB wants the biggest global stars in their marquee competition
- PCB wants their players earning top dollar and gaining franchise exposure
- Players themselves want to compete in high-quality, well-run T20 leagues
Brook’s public support nudges the conversation forward — and at the very least, makes it harder for either board to claim there’s no appetite for collaboration at the playing level.
FAQs
What did Harry Brook say about Pakistani players in The Hundred? Brook said it would be a shame if Pakistani players missed out on The Hundred, as they bring quality cricket and big crowds to any competition.
Why can’t Pakistani players always play in The Hundred? PCB’s NOC policies and scheduling conflicts with bilateral series have sometimes prevented Pakistani players from getting clearance to play in The Hundred.
Which Pakistani players would be most valuable in The Hundred? Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, and Fakhar Zaman would all be massive additions to any Hundred franchise.
When did Harry Brook make this statement? Brook made the comment during the T20 World Cup 2026 Super Eights phase in February 2026.
Does Harry Brook want Pakistan players in The Hundred? Brook didn’t frame it as a personal demand, but said it would be “a shame” if they missed out — a clear indication of his support for their inclusion.
Will Pakistan players feature in The Hundred 2026? That depends on PCB-ECB negotiations and scheduling. No official confirmation has been made at the time of writing.
