The Vice-President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Rajeev Shukla, has shared his opinion on the recent signing of Abrar Ahmed by Sunrisers Leeds in the historic Hundred auction. He said the reported signing does not come under the jurisdiction of the BCCI, as the Hundred is a foreign league governed by the ECB.

The signing of <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/abrar-ahmed-joins-sunrisers-leeds-first-pakistan-player-for-indian-owned-hundred-team/4244-5-0">Abrar Ahmed</a> made headlines yesterday, as the Pakistan mystery spinner was bought by Sunrisers Leeds at a whopping budget of &pound;190,000. The news immediately attracted the attention of the Indian cricket fans, who slammed the franchise on social media for making this decision.

Addressing the controversy, the Vice-President of the BCCI, Rajeev Shukla, has now shared his thoughts, calling the decision as a matter only related to the Sunrisers&rsquo; preferences in a foreign league. He said the BCCI cannot say much on this, as the Hundred is not under their jurisdiction like the Indian Premier League (IPL).

&ldquo;Our domain is limited to the IPL. We are not concerned by what is happening in other leagues. It is clearly up to the franchise that has bought a team outside India if they are taking some player somewhere outside India. We are least concerned about it. In the IPL, there is no such player,&rdquo; said Rajeev Shukla while talking to the reporters.

&ldquo;It is not in our domain (IPL); they have done it for some foreign league. They will have to take a call; we cannot do anything,&rdquo; added Rajeev Shukla.

Before the <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/all-hundred-squads-after-the-completion-of-historic-auction/4251-5-0">Hundred auction</a>, many people were speculating that Indian-owned franchises would not bid for Pakistan players. However, the courageous and smart move by Sunrisers Leeds quashed all those rumors, stating that it is open to sign any player that possesses qualities to win matches.

Besides Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq also got a big deal at the Hundred auction, as he was signed by Birmingham Phoenix for &pound;140,000. It would be interesting to see how both these players will perform in the upcoming season, as it would be their first ever appearance in the league.

Rajeev Shukla has shared his opinion on the recent signing of Abrar Ahmed by Sunrisers Leeds. He said the matter is not under BCCI’s jurisdiction, as the league is controlled by the ECB.

BCCI Clarifies its Stand as Sunrisers Leeds Sign Abrar Ahmed for the Hundred

New Zealand all-rounder Sophie Devine praised the remarkable growth of women&rsquo;s cricket after securing one of the biggest deals in the inaugural women&rsquo;s Hundred auction. The experienced star was signed by Welsh Fire for &pound;210,000, emerging as the Women&rsquo;s Hundred auction 2026 top bid Devine, and becoming one of the most sought-after players in the competition.

Reflecting on the milestone, Devine highlighted how far the women&rsquo;s game has come since the early days of her career.

&quot;Look, certainly exceeded expectations by a fair stretch,&quot; Devine said. &quot;The really cool thing for me is just to see where the women&#39;s game&#39;s gone - from back when I first started and you got paid 30 bucks for a weekend to some of the money that was getting thrown around.&quot;

&quot;But more importantly, to see where the women&#39;s game&#39;s got to... it&#39;s hard to believe that it&#39;s got to this point and it&#39;s only going to continue to get better.&quot;

<h2>Reunion at Welsh Fire</h2>

Devine&rsquo;s move to Welsh Fire will also reunite her with coach Michael Klinger. The pair previously worked together earlier this year when Klinger coached Gujarat Giants in the Women&rsquo;s Premier League.

The reunion is expected to strengthen Welsh Fire&rsquo;s lineup as the franchise builds its squad around experienced international players.

<h2>Devine Focused on New Zealand Return</h2>

After playing in several overseas T20 leagues, Sophie Devine is preparing to return for New Zealand in a five-match T20I series at home against South Africa. It will be her first international appearance since retiring from ODI cricket after last year&rsquo;s World Cup.

&quot;I think it [South Africa series] is great preparation for us,&quot; Devine said. &quot;I think we&#39;ve had an excellent build-up.&quot;

She also expressed support for new captain Amelia Kerr. &quot;I was really impressed with the way they went about [against Zimbabwe],&quot; Devine said. &quot;For Melie [Kerr] to lead by example - it&#39;s probably a sign of things to come.&quot;

Sophie Devine celebrates the growth of women’s cricket after securing a £210,000 deal with Welsh Fire in the inaugural women’s Hundred auction.

Sophie Devine Reacts to £210,000 Welsh Fire Deal in Women’s Hundred Auction

The highly anticipated auction for The Hundred has been completed, and all teams have finalized their squads for the upcoming season. The Hundred auction witnessed intense bidding war between various franchises for different players. Harry Brook remained the most expensive player in the league, as he was retained by Sunrisers Leeds for a whopping &pound;465,000 deal.

The 21-year old James Coles stole the limelight of the event, as he was signed by London Spirit for a big budget of &pound;390,000. Besides him, Pakistan&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/abrar-ahmed-joins-sunrisers-leeds-first-pakistan-player-for-indian-owned-hundred-team/4244-5-0">Abrar Ahmed</a> also fetched a lucrative deal, as he was signed by Sunrisers Leeds for &pound;190,000 for the upcoming season.

Another Pakistani mystery spinner, Usman Tariq, also secured a major deal at the event, as Birmingham Phoenix signed him for &pound;140,000 for the Hundred 2026 season.

Now that the Hundred auction is complete, we can take a clear look at the squads of all teams that will feature in the upcoming season. Let&rsquo;s take a quick look at them below.

<h2>Birmingham Phoenix</h2>

Jacob Bethell (&pound;340,000), Rehan Ahmed (&pound;250,000), Donovan Ferreira (&pound;210,000), Mitchell Owen (&pound;130,000), Saqib Mahmood (&pound;150,000), Usman Tariq (&pound;140,000), Joe Clarke (&pound;85,000), Will Smeed (&pound;55,000), Jordan Thompson (&pound;60,000), Scott Curie (&pound;210,000), Laurie Evans (&pound;85,000), Chris Wood (&pound;70,000), Ethan Brookes (&pound;70,000), Mustafizur Rahman (&pound;100,000)&nbsp;

<h2>London Spirit</h2>

Liam Livingstone (&pound;350,000), Jamie Overton (&pound;225,000), Adam Zampa (&pound;190,000), Dewald Brevis (&pound;185,000), Jonny Bairstow (&pound;160,000), David Willey (&pound;120,000), James Coles (&pound;390,000), Mason Crane (&pound;31,000), Adam Milne (&pound;50,000), Adam Hose (&pound;31,000), Tymal Mills (&pound;130,000), James Rew (&pound;31,000), Lhuan-dre Pretorius (&pound;31,000), Matt Fisher (&pound;31,000)

<h2>Manchester Super Giants</h2>

Jos Buttler (&pound;350,000), Heinrich Klaasen (&pound;250,000), Noor Ahmad (&pound;175,000), Liam Dawson (&pound;175,000), Aiden Markram (&pound;200,000), Josh Tongue (&pound;200,000), Sonny Baker (&pound;95,000), Gus Atkinson (&pound;70,000), Leus du Plooy (&pound;120,000), Tom Hartley (&pound;35,000), Tim Seifert (&pound;100,000), Tom Moores (&pound;50,000), Max Holden (&pound;31,000), Tawanda Muyeye (&pound;50,000), George Scrimshaw (&pound;31,000), Paul Walter (&pound;31,000)

<h2>MI London</h2>

Sam Curran (&pound;350,000), Will Jacks (&pound;250,000), Nicholas Pooran (&pound;175,000), Rashid Khan (&pound;175,000), James Vince (&pound;190,000), Tom Curran (&pound;260,000), Trent Boult (&pound;100,000), Nathan Sowter (&pound;130,000), Sherfane Rutherford (&pound;100,000), Richard Gleeson (&pound;65,000), Ollie Pope (&pound;31,000), Olly Stone (&pound;50,000), Ollie Sykes (&pound;31,000), Callum Parkinson (&pound;31,000), Jason Roy (&pound;31,000)

<h2>Southern Brave</h2>

Jofra Archer (&pound;400,000), Jamie Smith (&pound;300,000), Marcus Stoinis (&pound;150,000), Tristan Stubbs (&pound;100,000), Adil Rashid (&pound;250,000), David Miller (&pound;110,000), Luke Wood (&pound;130,000), Chris Jordan (&pound;160,000), Ben McKinney (&pound;45,000), Thomas Rew (&pound;80,000), Michael Pepper (&pound;31,000), Tom Abell (&pound;31,000), Dan Worrall (&pound;80,000), Caleb Falconer (&pound;55,000), Nikhil Chaudhary (&pound;31,000)

<h2>Sunrisers Leeds</h2>

Harry Brook (&pound;465,000), Mitchell Marsh (&pound;200,000), Nathan Ellis (&pound;145,000), Brydon Carse (&pound;140,000), Ryan Rickelton (&pound; 150,000), Zak Crawley (&pound;180,000), Matthew Potts (&pound;75,000), Dan Lawrence (&pound;210,000), Abrar Ahmed (&pound;190,000), Benny Howell (&pound;50,000), Tom Lawes (&pound;40,000), Tom Alsop (&pound;31,000), Liam Patterson-White (&pound;31,000), Reece Topley (&pound;31,000), Ed Barnard (&pound;31,000)

<h2>Trent Rockets</h2>

Tim David (&pound;350,000), Tom Banton (&pound;225,000), Ben Duckett (&pound;200,000), Mitchell Santner (&pound;175,000), Finn Allen (&pound;160,000), David Payne (&pound;130,000), Lewis Gregory (&pound;55,000), Craig Overton (&pound;120,000), Dan Mousley (&pound;40,000), Matt Henry (&pound;75,000), Sam Billings (&pound;180,000), Aneurin Donald (&pound;31,000), Ben Mayes (&pound;31,000), Danny Briggs (&pound;70,000), Brad Currie (&pound;31,000), Louis Kimber (&pound;31,000)

<h2>Welsh Fire</h2>

Phil Salt (&pound;450,000), Marco Jansen (&pound;250,000), Rachin Ravindra (&pound;120,000), Chris Woakes (&pound;110,000), Joe Root (&pound;240,000), Jordan Cox (&pound;300,000), Tom Kohler-Cadmore (&pound;80,000), Ben Kellaway (&pound;37,500), Lockie Ferguson (&pound;75,000), Asa Tribe (&pound;70,000), Tom Aspinwall (&pound;31,000), Matt Short (&pound;75,000), Sam Cook (&pound;70,000)

The historic Hundred auction has been completed and all teams have finalized their squads. Here’s a quick look at where each team is standing after the auction.

Men’s Hundred 2026: Where Each Team Stands After the Auction

In a landmark moment for <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/sports/the-hundred-men-2025/stats/167">The Hundred</a>, Sunrisers Leeds successfully secured mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed for &pound;190,000 (US$255,000) during Thursday&rsquo;s auction in London. The signing makes Abrar the first Pakistan cricketer to be bought by an Indian-owned team, following Sun TV&rsquo;s full takeover of the franchise, previously Northern Superchargers, for approximately &pound;100 million last year.

Amid speculation over a potential &lsquo;shadow ban&rsquo; on Pakistani players, Sunrisers Leeds won a bidding war with Trent Rockets to sign <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/abrar-ahmed-withdraws-bpl-2025-26-chattogram-royals-update/2788-5-0">Abrar Ahmed</a>. He was the second Pakistani sold, after Usman Tariq (&pound;140,000 to Birmingham Phoenix). No active Pakistan internationals have played in the IPL since 2008, despite previous T20 appearances.

<h2>James Coles Tops Auction Bids</h2>

Sussex allrounder James Coles emerged as the most expensive player in Thursday morning&rsquo;s auction, commanding a staggering &pound;390,000 (US$522,000) from London Spirit. The 21-year-old, tipped for an international debut this summer, had earned just &pound;31,000 in last year&rsquo;s Hundred. His rise follows a breakthrough winter, including a SA20 title with Sunrisers Eastern Cape and a strong showing against Pakistan Shaheens with <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/england-lions-defeat-pakistan-shaheens-in-one-day-series-opener/3970-5-0">England Lions</a>.

Coles started at a base price of &pound;75,000, attracting early bids from Manchester Super Giants, Trent Rockets, and Birmingham Phoenix. Sunrisers Leeds entered at &pound;220,000, but London Spirit eventually outbid them to secure his services. Coles will be the fourth-highest-paid player in The Hundred this summer, behind <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/harry-brook-regrets-dropping-sanju-samson-in-semi-final/4116-5-0">Harry Brook</a> (&pound;465,000), Phil Salt (&pound;450,000), and Jofra Archer (&pound;400,000).

<h3>Other Notable Bids</h3>

Thursday&rsquo;s auction also saw significant contracts for Jordan Cox (&pound;300,000 at Welsh Fire), Tom Curran (&pound;260,000 at MI London), and Adil Rashid (&pound;250,000 at Southern Brave). Joe Root was the first player sold at &pound;240,000 (US$321,000) to Welsh Fire, while Dan Lawrence joined Sunrisers Leeds for &pound;210,000 (US$281,000). Among overseas players, Aiden Markram drew the highest bid of &pound;200,000 (US$277,000) at Manchester Super Giants, where he already competes in IPL Lucknow and SA20 Durban teams.

The morning&rsquo;s auction highlights the growing global appeal of The Hundred, with franchises willing to invest heavily to secure top domestic and international talent, including historic signings like Abrar Ahmed.

Abrar Ahmed joins Sunrisers Leeds for £190,000, first Pakistani in an Indian-owned Hundred team; James Coles goes for £390,000.

Abrar Ahmed Joins Sunrisers Leeds, First Pakistan Player for Indian-Owned Hundred Team

The auction saw competitive bidding across the board, with franchises securing top domestic and international talent. Pakistani players in Hundred Auction made headlines as Pakistan&rsquo;s ODI captain <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/shaheen-shah-afridi-expresses-support-for-young-team/4229-5-0">Shaheen Shah Afridi</a> withdrew at the last minute, alongside Quinton de Kock, Sunil Narine, AM Ghazanfar, and Peter Siddle. The England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed the withdrawals, which slightly altered the auction dynamics just hours before the start of bidding.

<h2>Upcoming Season</h2>

The Hundred 2026 season will begin on 21 July and conclude on 16 August. The opening match will feature MI London (formerly Oval Invincibles) against Sunrisers Leeds (formerly Northern Superchargers) at The Oval. The auction and team preparations reflect the growing global appeal of the tournament, with franchises keen to invest in emerging talent from around the world.

Pakistani players Abrar Ahmed and Usman Tariq were the only selections from Pakistan in The Hundred 2026 auction, while several others remained unsold amid late withdrawals.

Pakistan Players Make Their Mark in The Hundred 2026 Men’s Auction

Moeen Ali&rsquo;s unexpected absence from <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/the-hundred-auction-tension-grows-over-pakistan-stars/3832-5-0">The Hundred 2026</a> longlist has stirred debate across English cricket circles, with the ECB confirming that no franchise registered interest in the all-rounder ahead of next week&rsquo;s auction.

The development means <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/karachi-kings-sign-moeen-ali-for-psl-2026/3405-5-0">Moeen Ali</a>, once the face of Birmingham Phoenix and captain for the tournament&rsquo;s first four seasons, will not automatically enter the bidding pool. Despite registering at a base price of &pound;75,000 after reversing his retirement from domestic cricket, none of the eight teams placed him among their preliminary targets, a prerequisite for inclusion in the final list.

The <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/ecb-discrimination-stance-the-hundred-draft-2026-pakistan-players/3894-5-0">ECB</a> has since rejected informal requests to retrospectively add him, maintaining that altering the list after submission would undermine the integrity of the process. Franchises were given a clear window to nominate players, and the governing body is understood to be firm on not setting a fresh precedent.

Privately, team insiders have pointed to practical cricketing considerations. One suggested Moeen&rsquo;s reserve price may have narrowed his appeal in a competitive market. Another referenced his age, he turns 39 before the new season, as a strategic factor in long-term squad planning.

Yet the discussion around Moeen Ali extends beyond numbers. Having stepped away from English domestic cricket to pursue global opportunities in the Caribbean and the Global Super League, he has since recommitted by signing with Yorkshire for the T20 Blast. That move signaled unfinished business at home.

He could still return to The Hundred through the wildcard route, which rewards strong Blast performances. A coaching pathway also remains plausible, especially after his recent involvement with England Lions in Abu Dhabi.

Moeen Ali has also been vocal on broader franchise issues.&nbsp;

Addressing speculation about a &lsquo;shadow-ban&rsquo; on Pakistan players, he recently said: &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve been talking a bit to the ECB about it. The teams came out a few days ago and made a statement, and I think that is a great start.&rdquo;

For now, the conversation centers on opportunity, perception, and whether The Hundred will once again feature one of its early standard-bearers.

In a shock twist, Moeen Ali fails to make The Hundred longlist after no franchise registered interest. Is the £75k price tag or age to blame for the Birmingham legend's exclusion?

Moeen Ali Fails to Make The Hundred Auction 2026 Shortlist

<a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/iftikhar-ahmed-blames-haris-rauf-pakistan-vs-india-t20-world-cup-2022/3834-5-0">Haris Rauf</a> is among the 10 marquee players whose names will be called first when the men&rsquo;s auction takes place on March 12 in London. The overseas marquee group also includes Aiden Markram, David Miller, Sunil Narine and Daryl Mitchell, while the domestic list features Jonny Bairstow, Adil Rashid, James Vince, Jordan Cox and Joe Root.

The ECB and the eight franchises recently issued a joint statement stressing that selection would be based on &quot;performance, availability, and the needs of each team&quot;. The clarification followed a BBC report suggesting that IPL-linked franchises might enforce a &quot;shadow ban&quot; on Pakistani cricketers for geopolitical reasons.

<h2>Pakistan Presence Trimmed to 14</h2>

Initially, 63 Pakistan players were part of the 710-man registration pool. After franchises shortlisted around 75 to 100 preferred names each, the list was reduced to 243 players. Fourteen Pakistan players remain, including Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Tariq, Saim Ayub, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Amir, Zaman Khan, Usama Mir, Imad Wasim, Akif Javed and Salman Mirza alongside Rauf.

Rauf brings valuable Hundred experience into the <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/the-hundred-auction-tension-grows-over-pakistan-stars/3832-5-0">Men&rsquo;s Hundred auction</a>, having taken 16 wickets across two seasons with Welsh Fire. He also finished as the leading wicket-taker in the recent Big Bash League while playing under Peter Moores at Melbourne Stars, boosting his credentials ahead of the bidding.

<h2>Notable Absences and Schedule Watch</h2>

<a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/sl-vs-pak-super-8-live-farhan-hits-4th-fifty-in-t20-world-cup-2026/3985-5-0">Sahibzada Farhan</a>, currently the leading run-scorer at the ongoing T20 World Cup with centuries against Namibia and Sri Lanka, is missing from the final list. Farhan had earlier said he was &quot;hopeful&quot; of being picked up at the auction.

Pakistan&rsquo;s Test tour of the Caribbean overlaps with the Hundred window from July 21 to August 16, though white-ball players are expected to be available subject to No-Objection Certificates.

The involvement of IPL-linked teams such as MI London, Sunrisers Leeds and Manchester Super Giants, along with Southern Brave, will remain under scrutiny during the bidding process.

Haris Rauf headlines the men’s Hundred auction with 14 Pakistan players on the trimmed longlist as franchises prepare for bids ahead of the 2025 season.

Haris Rauf Among Marquee Names for Men’s Hundred 2025 Auction

The England and Wales Cricket Board has moved swiftly to shut down speculation surrounding Pakistan players and their participation in this year&rsquo;s competition.

At the heart of the storm is <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/the-hundred-auction-tension-grows-over-pakistan-stars/3832-5-0">The Hundred draft 2026</a>, scheduled next month, with whispers in sections of the English media suggesting certain franchises could sidestep Pakistan talent due to ownership links with IPL investors.&nbsp;

<h2>ECB Draws a Firm Line</h2>

In a joint statement released with all eight franchises, the board underlined its zero-tolerance policy on bias. The <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/blog/ecb-responds-to-shadow-ban-claims-before-the-hundred-2026-auction/3781-5-0">ECB discrimination stance</a> was blunt: nationality cannot and will not be a factor in selection.

Officials stressed that recruitment decisions must hinge on cricketing merit, squad balance and player availability and nothing else. The message was clear and deliberate.

The controversy gathered pace after reports claimed a senior official had indicated limited appetite for Pakistan players among teams backed by IPL-linked groups.&nbsp;

<h2>Investors and Uneasy Questions</h2>

Last year, four franchises secured partial investment from IPL-connected entities, raising close to &pound;500 million. The development brought fresh capital, but also fresh scrutiny.

Critics pointed to the absence of Pakistan cricketers in the IPL since 2008 and their limited opportunities in leagues such as SA20, ILT20 and Major League Cricket. Naturally, eyebrows were raised.

Yet the ECB insists its principles remain intact. &ldquo;We want the best players from around the world,&rdquo; the board said, reinforcing the ECB discrimination stance for a second time within days.

<h2>Pakistan Players Still in the Frame</h2>

&quot;We are aware of the challenges Pakistani players face in other regions, but that won&#39;t be happening here,&quot; Gould said.

Pakistan stars have featured regularly in the competition. Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim played last season before new investors stepped in.&nbsp;

With The Hundred draft 2026 approaching, attention now turns to the selections themselves. Will franchises double down on global talent? Or will scrutiny intensify if notable names slip through?

For now, the board&rsquo;s position is unmistakable. Performance decides not the Passport. The draft table may soon provide the final answer.

ECB reaffirms inclusivity ahead of The Hundred draft 2026 amid reports Pakistan players could be overlooked by IPL-linked teams.

No Ban on Pakistan Players, Says ECB Before The Hundred Draft

The Hundred&#39;s most successful franchise, Oval Invincibles, will change its name to MI London in the 2026 season. This change comes after protracted talks between Reliance Industries Limited and Surrey were concluded. This was the eighth and last key agreement to come out of this year&#39;s equity sale of The Hundred.

This name change also includes the women&#39;s team, now aligned under the same MI brand as the men&rsquo;s team, joining other Ambani-owned teams such as MI Cape Town in the SA20, MI Emirates in the ILT20, MI New York in Major League Cricket, and the Mumbai Indians Women&#39;s team in the WPL.

Reliance completed this arrangement by purchasing a 49 per cent stake in Oval Invincibles, which had a valuation of &pound;123 million for the squad, just after London Spirit, at &pound;295 million. Surrey was reluctant to have the identity of the team associated with anything other than the Kia Oval, which explains why the announcement took place later, but the MI brand is a driving force behind the rebranding.

<h2>Impact on the Growth of The Hundred</h2>

Surrey chairman Oli Slipper recognized the value of the MI brand, which boasts 13 titles across various competitions, including five IPL trophies. &quot;We&#39;re pleased to have reached an agreement with the Reliance team over our partnership in the Hundred franchise team,&quot; Slipper said. &quot;Reliance brings significant depth of cricket and business expertise and has had great success with their franchise teams in India and around the world. There&#39;s no doubt that they are here to win.&quot;

Reliance co-owner Mrs. Nita M. Ambani shared her enthusiasm, saying, &quot;We are delighted to welcome MI London into the #OneFamily and take the MI legacy to new frontiers. London holds a special place in the heart of cricket, and we are honoured to be part of its rich heritage. Together with Surrey, we look forward to nurturing young talent, engaging diverse communities, and uniting fans through their shared love of the game.&quot;

Akash Ambani, another key figure from Reliance, added, &quot;We are happy to welcome MI London into the #OneFamily, marking a new chapter in our journey of uniting cricket fans, nurturing talent, and growing the game across continents. The Invincibles&#39; winning record and spirit of excellence perfectly embody the MI ethos of passion, resilience, and teamwork.&quot;

The total valuation of the eight partnerships is over &pound;975 million, with more than &pound;500 million earmarked for investment in English and Welsh cricket, including a &pound;50 million commitment to grassroots cricket. This development sets the stage for The Hundred&rsquo;s continued growth and global expansion.

Vikram Banerjee, Managing Director of The Hundred, commented, &quot;It&#39;s an exciting moment to now have all eight deals complete. The world-leading partners we now have on board will help us take The Hundred to the next level and establish it as the unmissable summer event. We&rsquo;re already working closely together as we aim to make the 2026 season of The Hundred the best yet.&quot;

Oval Invincibles will be rebranded as MI London starting from 2026, as the final deal in the Hundred's equity sale is completed, marking a new chapter for the franchise.

Oval Invincibles Become MI London After Surrey and Reliance Deal

Cricket fans are eagerly waiting for another thrilling clash in The Hundred 2025 as Southern Brave take on Welsh Fire. For those who don&rsquo;t want to miss a ball of the action, tapmad is the go-to platform to watch <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/sports/the-hundred-men-2025/167/1">The Hundred live</a>, offering seamless streaming without interruptions. This matchup promises fireworks with both teams eager to prove themselves early in the season.

<h2>Southern Brave: Balanced and Dangerous</h2>

The Southern Brave head into this season with a team that is not only full of power hitters, but that include some bowlers who are crafty, as well as those who are seasoned campaigners. Their batting lineup is quite powerful, especially at the top, and with players able to establish the tone in the power play. The middle order offers power and stability, and makes sure that they can change to either chasing a total or to establishing one.

On the bowling side, Brave&rsquo;s attack is diverse. With pace upfront and spin options through the middle overs, they have the resources to counter Welsh Fire&rsquo;s batting depth. Much will depend on their ability to strike early, as Welsh Fire&rsquo;s middle order thrives when given a platform.

<h2>Welsh Fire: Determined to Prove a Point</h2>

Welsh Fire have frequently been regarded as the underdogs, yet their 2025 squad is more balanced and competitive than any previous squad. Their batting lineup is built around a few key players who are capable of creating individual shifts in momentum, and the rest of the cast provides richness. Their openers should be highly aggressive because an explosive start could unsettle the Southern Brave bowlers.

The bowling unit features a mix of seam and spin, though consistency has been an issue in the past. If Fire can maintain discipline and take advantage of Brave&rsquo;s middle overs, they have a real chance of causing an upset.

<h2>Key Battles to Watch</h2>

Every contest in The Hundred is shaped by individual duels, and this match is no different. Some battles to keep an eye on include:

<ul>
	<li>Powerplay Fireworks: Southern Brave&rsquo;s openers versus Welsh Fire&rsquo;s new-ball bowlers. Whoever wins this battle sets the tone. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Spin in the Middle Overs: Brave&rsquo;s spin options could restrict Fire&rsquo;s scoring rate, but Fire&rsquo;s batters are known for their aggressive sweep shots. 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Finishers&rsquo; Impact: Both teams have finishers who thrive under pressure. The last 20 balls could very well decide the winner.</li>
</ul>

<h2>Form Guide &amp; Momentum</h2>

The Southern Brave are in full swing, going into this match after they have won the tournament early. They are a difficult opponent because of their confidence and depth. Welsh Fire, on their part, have demonstrated signs of brilliance, but they require consistency. Suppose they can play a whole performance with bat and ball, they can push Brave to the extreme limit.

<h2>Predicted Playing XI</h2>

Southern Brave (Predicted):

<ol>
	<li>Explosive Opener 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Solid Partner 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Key Middle-Order Anchor 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Finisher 1 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Finisher 2 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>All-Rounder 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Spinner 1 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Spinner 2 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Pace Bowler 1 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Pace Bowler 2 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Death Bowler 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ol>

Welsh Fire (Predicted):

<ol>
	<li>Aggressive Opener 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Supporting Opener 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Reliable Middle-Order Batter 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Power Hitter 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>All-Rounder 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Finisher 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Spinner 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Pace Bowler 1 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Pace Bowler 2 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>All-Round Bowling Option 
	&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Death Bowler</li>
</ol>

(Note: Lineups are subject to official confirmation on match day.)

<h2>Match Prediction</h2>

On paper, Southern Brave look slightly stronger thanks to their squad depth and balance across departments. They have fewer batting weaknesses, and their bowlers are experienced enough to perform in pressure situations. Nevertheless, the unpredictable nature of Welsh Fire is the most powerful tool. When their first order does the clicking and they are in a position to post a huge total, the strain might be taken off Brave.

Prediction: Southern Brave to edge out Welsh Fire in a close finish &mdash; but expect plenty of fireworks from both sides.

<h2>Final Thoughts</h2>

The clash between Southern Brave and Welsh Fire in The Hundred 2025 is more than just another fixture &mdash; it&rsquo;s a battle of strategies, nerves, and execution. With Brave&rsquo;s balance and Fire&rsquo;s determination, fans are in for a thrilling encounter.

Don&rsquo;t miss a single moment of this match or the rest of the tournament &mdash; stream every ball live on tapmad, your trusted platform for uninterrupted sports coverage.

Match Preview & Predictions: Southern Brave v Welsh Fire, The Hundred 2025 with insights, key players, and streaming details on tapmad.

Match Preview & Predictions: Southern Brave v Welsh Fire, The Hundred 2025

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The Hundred Men 2025

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