Shaheen Afridi Goes No.1 in BBL Draft as Pakistan Stars Dominate Overseas Picks
Pakistan’s top cricket talent stole the spotlight in the Big Bash League (BBL) 2025 Overseas Player Draft on Thursday, with Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, and Haris Rauf among the most coveted picks. Afridi, making his BBL draft debut with full-season availability, was snapped up as the No.1 overall pick by Brisbane Heat, reinforcing their already potent pace attack alongside Spencer Johnson, Michael Neser, and Xavier Bartlett.
Melbourne Stars retained Haris Rauf, using their priority retention option to block the Adelaide Strikers, who attempted to take him at pick No.2. Meanwhile, Mohammad Rizwan was drafted by the Melbourne Renegades at pick No.4, despite the team already having New Zealand’s Tim Seifert signed up.
The Strikers, missing out on Rauf, used their platinum pick to draft England’s left-arm pacer Luke Wood, while Sydney Sixers landed Sam Curran at No.7. The Thunder retained Lockie Ferguson at No.8 to round out the first-round selections.
Key Highlights from the BBL Draft:
- Seven Pakistani players were selected overall, reflecting the league’s growing confidence in Pakistan’s white-ball talent.
- Shadab Khan was picked by Sydney Thunder in the second round (pick No.12), marking his fourth BBL franchise after prior stints with Brisbane Heat, Sydney Sixers, and Hobart Hurricanes.
- The Renegades made a bold move by selecting USA’s uncapped all-rounder Hassan Khan at No.11, a standout performer in Major League Cricket with the San Francisco Unicorns.
- Adelaide Strikers picked another Pakistani pacer, Hasan Ali, in the third round.
- Rishad Hossain, the only Bangladeshi player selected, joined the Hobart Hurricanes after being withdrawn last year due to NOC issues.
Several familiar faces also made a return. Laurie Evans and David Payne rejoined the Perth Scorchers, having previously won BBL titles with the franchise, while England’s Tom Alsop returned to Brisbane Heat, and leg-spinner Jafer Chohan to the Sixers.
Full Team Draft Summary:
Adelaide Strikers: Luke Wood, Jamie Overton, Hasan Ali
Brisbane Heat: Shaheen Afridi, Colin Munro, Tom Alsop
Hobart Hurricanes: Chris Jordan, Rishad Hossain, Rehan Ahmed
Melbourne Renegades: Mohammad Rizwan, Hassan Khan, Tim Seifert
Melbourne Stars: Haris Rauf, Tom Curran, Joe Clarke
Perth Scorchers: Finn Allen, Laurie Evans, David Payne
Sydney Sixers: Sam Curran, Babar Azam, Jafer Chohan
Sydney Thunder: Lockie Ferguson, Shadab Khan, Sam Billings
With a strong Pakistani presence and several returning international stars, BBL 2025-26 promises high-octane cricket and fresh rivalries, especially as teams lock in combinations for the season ahead.
