The Hundred Tournament is a new format of the game that occurs in England and Wales which was introduced by ECB in 2021 to increase the fast pace of the game. It's a format where each team faces 100 balls per innings irrespective of the wickets. The tournament consists of eight teams and the matches were back-to-back conducted on the same grounds. The interesting thing about it is the tickets you bought are applicable for both men's and women's matches. 

The eight teams that compete in the tournament are Birmingham Phoenix, London Spirit, Manchester Originals, Northern Superchargers, Southern Brave, Trent Rockets, Welsh Fire, and London Superchargers. It has some unique confrontation of the game and the salaries offered are double which attracts more and more players which designates the other three formats of the game. 

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Format And Its Former Winners

During the Hundred format each teams plays eight matches at their group stages seperating four away and four home matches. The top 3 highest points considered teams moves to the knockout stage where the final commences at the Lord's Ground which is considered as the mecca of cricket. Last year in 2024 Oval invincibles claimed the title which was considered as mega blockbuster show and was considered as frontline entertainment stride. 

In this year's 100 tournament, many players have drafted their names. As the salary offered is double that the other leagues expect the IPL and the window gates won't too clash as the tournament commences in August where players get ample time, but it's not easy to be drafted into this league which consists of heavy competition where players are picked more carefully and the players who have the reputation of hitting big hits and constrain along with the game are only picked. 

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Pakistan Players Were Not Preferred In Draft

Its been reported that total 45 Pakistani players registered for the tournament but none of them were selected which was the center talk of the highlights. Players like Naseem Shah, Shadab khan, Imad Wasim and Saheen Shah Afridi registered their names but intrestingly none of them were picked. It has created a wide spread debate why Pakistan players have been neglected from the drafts. 

Even though some of the overseas slots were remaining empty. Yet the reason behind this decision has not yet been disclosed which leads to speculation about potential factors influencing team selections. Though New Zealand and Australian players gained huge contracts where former Australian captain Steve Smith was picked by Welsh Fire. Another point of negligence would be the performance of the players because the drafts are picked according to the current forms too.