“All eight teams commit to selection being based solely on cricketing performance, availability, and the needs of each team,” learn the assertion.
“The ECB is committed to ensuring there is no place for discrimination, and has regulations in place to take robust action to tackle any such conduct.
“Players should not be excluded on the grounds of their nationality.”
In messages seen by the BBC, a senior ECB official indicated to an agent that interest in his Pakistan players would be limited to sides not linked to the IPL.
Four of The Hundred’s eight franchises – Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave and Sunrisers Leeds – are now at least part-owned by companies that control IPL teams.
Another agent described the situation as “an unwritten rule” across T20 leagues with Indian investment.
The ECB and the franchise teams said they were committed “to making sure The Hundred continues to be a contest that’s inclusive, welcoming and open to all”.
“We need The Hundred to function the perfect expertise from the world over, and can proceed working proactively to make sure that the competitors is a benchmark for inclusivity,” it added.
