England's Moeeni Ali is the latest Cricketer to react to reports of shadow-banning Pakistani players from the upcoming auction of the Hundred. Moeen stated that a protest will follow if any of the franchises choose to ignore Pakistani Cricketers in the upcoming auctions. He also pointed out that the English Cricketers are likely to take a united stand against any sort of discrimination.
As per several reports, teams owned by Indian owners (MI London, Manchester Super Giants, Sunrisers Leeds and Southern Brave) will follow IPL teams with an unannounced ban on Pakistanis due to strained India-Pak ties.
“In the UK, I’m not sure that can happen – and I hope it doesn’t happen," Moeen told Telegraph Sport. “It just shouldn’t happen, hopefully it won’t happen. We just have to wait and see if it does, but I think it’d be a massive shame, and I’m sure the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) will definitely keep an eye out."
It is important to highlight that England's white-ball captain Harry Brook and ex-captain Michael Vaughan have described the reports as 'shameful' if they actually occur.
More Players Will Join Protest: Moeen
“There’ll be a group of players that will speak up," he said. “There’ll be things done about it. I think players should speak up. Anyone that has any sort of concern for these kind of things – it doesn’t matter if they have Pakistani heritage – should speak up. Obviously, the news is very new. So I’ve not really had a chance to speak to anyone, but most of the players would be on the same page. It’d be really interesting to see what happens, because I genuinely think other countries can do what they want, obviously we’re not in control of those things, but in the UK, we have a bit more say about these things."
Interestingly, Indian-owned teams in the SA20 and ILT20 refrain from picking any Pakistani players either.
Moeen also pointed out that individuals recognise this issue but remain silent due to concerns about potential repercussions on their careers. He noted that a significant factor contributing to this apprehension is that the same affluent and knowledgeable owners from the IPL operate leagues globally.
“These kind of things have been happening for ages now it’s time for a solution, because it’s not fair – it’s obviously discriminating against certain type of people," Moeen said. “It’s horrible. I just find it strange that no one really talks about it too much. Especially at the top, no one really mentions it. People have not been speaking about it so they don’t get in trouble."
“It’s such a difficult one, because all these teams are everywhere in every league. So now if players speak out, or if they say anything, then it affects their career. It’s a difficult position for players to be in. When you’re an older player like myself, you don’t really care too much," he said.