SAHIBZADA FARHAN is unconcerned about Pakistan players being frozen out of The Hundred although he admitted it was “not in our hands.”

Farhan is among 13 players in Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad to enter next month’s auction in The Hundred, with former captain Babar Azam and reserve opener Fakhar Zaman the only ones not to do so.

But last week’s report by the BBC that the four India-owned teams — MI London, Manchester Super Giants, Southern Brave and Sunrisers Leeds — would not consider any Pakistan cricketers has caused shockwaves.

The England and Wales Cricket Board warned all eight franchises on Sunday disciplinary action would follow if there is any evidence of discrimination, including ignoring players based on nationality.

Farhan said: “This is not in our hands who picks us or who doesn’t. Whichever team is interested in picking us can and we are ready to play in that league. It’s not like people are not interested in us.”

Geopolitical tensions between the two Asian nations have cast a shadow over cricket for many years, with an effective blanket ban on Pakistan players at the Indian Premier League in place since 2009.

Opportunities for Pakistan players have been squeezed further by several IPL owners taking charge of domestic franchises abroad — such as South Africa’s SA20 and the ILT20 in the UAE.

There were no Pakistan players selected at last year’s auction — before the new investors assumed control — although left-arm seamer Mohammad Amir and all-rounder Imad Wasim featured as replacements.

That was largely down to Pakistan’s busy summer schedule, rendering their high-profile players unavailable for some of the tournament, and it is a similar situation this year.

Pakistan have two Tests in the West Indies during the tournament, which is set to run from July 21 to August 16, and then play the first of three Tests against England three days after The Hundred final.

Farhan, the leading run-scorer at the World Cup, remains optimistic of being selected at the auction on March 11-12, as he addressed the media ahead of Tuesday’s Super 8 clash with England in Pallekele.

He added: “I’m very hopeful. Every player wants to play every league, play in the good leagues. The Hundred is one of the best leagues. So I hope for the best.”