The Hundred: Welsh Fire owner Sanjay Govil 'won't discriminate' at auction

Welsh Fire co-owner Sanjay Govil has told BBC Sport Wales he "won't discriminate against anybody" and wants to "select the best team" at the Hundred auction in a few weeks time.

Last week, BBC Sport reported Pakistan cricketers are not being considered by the four Indian-owned sides for next month's Hundred auction.

Pakistan players do not play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) amid ongoing political tensions between the two countries and that trend is reflected at IPL-owned franchises around the world.

Since then, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has written to the eight Hundred franchises reminding them of their responsibilities around discrimination.

Fire were one of four teams not bought by IPL owners during the sales of The Hundred franchises last year, alongside Trent Rockets, London Spirit and Birmingham Phoenix.

Govil, owner of Major League Cricket franchise Washington Freedom, paid £40m for a 50% stake in Welsh Fire.

The Indian-American IT entrepreneur says his focus is on building the best squad possible.

"We are going to select the best team we can, there are going to be Pakistani players in the draft so we just have to look at our needs because the number of international players we can sign is very limited," said Govil.

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