India, July 21 -- Sunrisers Leeds owner Kaviya Maran has declined to comment on the intense geopolitical backlash following her franchise's landmark decision to acquire Pakistani mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed at The Hundred auction.

Maran-who also serves as Chief Executive for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League and Sunrisers Eastern Cape in SA20-personally raised the paddle at the auction table alongside head coach Daniel Vettori. The Leeds franchise outbid Trent Rockets in an intense bidding war to secure the 27-year-old spinner for £190,000 (approximately Rs.2.45 crore).

Breaking the 'Shadow Ban' Triggering Backlash

The move broke an unwritten 'shadow ban' that Indian-owned global franchises have maintained regarding...