Cricket: The Hundred Men’s Competition 2025 set to open with foreign stars in lineup

The fifth edition of The Hundred Men’s Competition kicks off on Tuesday, August 5, launching a month of fast-paced cricket across England and Wales.

Featuring eight city-based teams and some of the world’s top cricketers, the tournament will conclude with the final at Lord’s on August 31.

Fans across Afghanistan can once again tune in to all the action on Ariana Television after Ariana Radio and Television Network (ATN) secured exclusive rights to broadcast the event live.

For the first time, The Hundred has been scheduled to avoid overlapping with Major League Cricket in the United States, ensuring full availability of both England’s leading players and major international signings.

The competition begins at Lord’s with the opening clash between London Spirit and defending champions Oval Invincibles. This match will start at 9pm Kabul time.

In total, 64 group-stage fixtures are scheduled across the men’s and women’s tournaments, followed by an eliminator on August 30 and the final the next day.

The eight teams competing this season are Birmingham Phoenix, London Spirit, Manchester Originals, Northern Superchargers, Oval Invincibles, Southern Brave, Trent Rockets, and Welsh Fire. Each squad is allowed up to 15 players, with four overseas stars permitted per team.

This year’s international lineup is one of the strongest yet.

Australian batter Steve Smith has joined Welsh Fire on a £200,000 contract, while Afghanistan star Rashid Khan has signed with Oval Invincibles.

David Warner, another key Australian figure, will feature for London Spirit. New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra and Michael Bracewell are also set to make an impact, with Ravindra representing Manchester Originals and Bracewell picked up by Southern Brave.

Noor Ahmad was the only Afghan player selected in the formal 2025 player draft. He secured a top-tier deal with Manchester Originals worth £200,000 ($267,000).

New rules introduced this season allowed franchises to make direct overseas signings prior to the draft, helping teams secure marquee names in advance. Combined with increased salaries and the removal of scheduling clashes, the 2025 season is expected to be the most competitive and commercially successful yet.

The England and Wales Cricket Board has also announced that six of the tournament’s franchises have now attracted private investment ahead of full equity sales expected in 2026. This development is expected to further strengthen the tournament’s long-term viability.

The Hundred’s unique 100-ball format is designed to keep matches under two and a half hours, maintaining a fast pace and family-friendly atmosphere.

With Oval Invincibles aiming to defend their title and several other franchises strengthened by international talent, fans are watching to see whether the balance of power will shift. David Warner’s debut for London Spirit and the performance of the New Zealand contingent are among the key narratives this summer.