Sunil Gavaskar played 125 Tests for India between 1971 and 1986 Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has said Sunrisers Leeds' signing of Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed "indirectly contributes to the deaths of Indian soldiers and civilians". IPL teams have not been permitted to sign Pakistan players since 2009 because of ongoing political tensions between the two countries. "Ever since the Mumbai attacks in November 2008, Indian franchise owners have simply ignored Pakistani players for the IPL. The 76-year-old was the first man to reach 10,000 runs in Test cricket and was part of the India team that famously shocked West Indies in the 1983 World Cup final. Since ending his playing career in 1987, he has become an outspoken voice in the media, including working for the BBC's Test Match Special. Sunrisers Hyderabad are due to play in the opening match of the new IPL season, away to defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru on 28 March.