The Big Bash League (BBL) and Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) have concluded their drafts, with Usama Mir emerging as the only Pakistani cricketer selected. Despite the presence of 69 male and 11 female Pakistani players in the draft pool, Mir was the sole pick for the upcoming BBL season.
Selected by the Melbourne Stars in the third round, Mir will return to the team for a second consecutive season, having participated in the 2023-24 edition. The BBL is scheduled to run from December 15, 2024, to January 27, 2025. Teams have shown a preference for foreign players available for the entire season. They are free from the complications of securing No Objection Certificates (NOCs), which often affect Pakistani players due to national team commitments.
Notable first-round picks included Ben Duckett (Melbourne Stars) and James Vince (Sydney Sixers, retained). In the second round, players like Tom Curran (Melbourne Stars, pre-signed) and Ollie Pope (Adelaide Strikers, pre-signed) were selected. The third round highlighted other key selections alongside Mir, such as Matthew Hurst (Perth Scorchers) and Fabian Allen (Adelaide Strikers).
This selective drafting reflects the league’s strategic approach to player availability and the challenges associated with international cricket schedules.
