Mumbai/IBNS, March 13 -- Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice-president Rajeev Shukla on Friday said the Indian cricket board cannot take any step regarding the Sunrisers franchise roping in Pakistani cricketer Abrar Ahmed for the upcoming edition of The Hundred.

Shukla said the decision rests with the franchise, noting that overseas leagues fall outside the jurisdiction of the BCCI.

Owned by Sun TV Network, the franchise faced massive backlash in India after it signed Abrar for Sunrisers Leeds amid strained ties between India and Pakistan.

Sunrisers owner Kavya Maran, who was present at the auction alongside head coach Daniel Vettori, faced online criticism, with some posts even calling her a supporter of Pakistan.

Abrar...