India, March 17 -- India batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has come under sharp criticism from Pakistan-born former England cricketer Azeem Rafiq following his controversial remarks on Abrar Ahmed's signing by Sunrisers Leeds in The Hundred 2026 auction.

Writing in his column for Mid-Day, Gavaskar questioned the decision of the Indian-owned franchise to sign the Pakistan mystery spinner for £190,000. He argued that the backlash surrounding the move was "hardly surprising" given the historical context and sensitivities attached to cricketing ties between the two nations.

Gavaskar went a step further in his argument, suggesting that payments made to Pakistani cricketers could indirectly contribute to the country's state machinery through...