Pakistan’s pace sensation Shaheen Shah Afridi was selected as the first overall pick by Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League (BBL) Season 15 draft, held in Melbourne. The BBL 2025 draft in Pakistan saw a record seven Pakistani players join the Australian T20 competition, highlighting their global demand, as reported by Cricket Australia.
Afridi, 25, is a left-arm pacer with 310 T20 wickets and leads Pakistan’s squad in his debut at the Big Bash League (BBL).
Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batter, was picked up by the Melbourne Renegades during the platinum round and is also making his first appearance in the BBL.
Haris Rauf, who has been retained by the Melbourne Stars, has taken 36 wickets from 22 BBL matches. Babar Azam, who was pre-signed by the Sydney Sixers, adds further star power to the league.
Shadab Khan, Pakistan’s T20 vice-captain, has joined the Sydney Thunder during the gold round, making it his fourth team in the Big Bash League (BBL), as per Minute Mirror. Hasan Ali, an experienced pacer, will be making his debut with the Adelaide Strikers, while former U19 all-rounder Hassan Khan is returning to the Melbourne Renegades.
Read: Babar Azam Joins Sydney Sixers with Record-Breaking BBL Contract
The draft featured six BBL franchises selecting Pakistani talent, with the scheduling window set from November to February. The Brisbane Heat prioritised Shahid Afridi’s skills as a new-ball bowler, even with Spencer Johnson on their roster. Meanwhile, the Melbourne Renegades strengthened their batting lineup by signing Mohammad Rizwan. The Sydney Sixers, having pre-signed Babar Azam for a value of PKR 100 million, aim to enhance their campaign following their exit from the playoffs in 2024.
