Some of Pakistan’s biggest cricket stars have been picked in the Big Bash League (BBL) overseas draft with fast bowler شاہین شاہ آفریدی taking the spotlight as the No.1 overall pick by Brisbane Heat. This is Afridi’s debut BBL season and he is available for the entire tournament which made him the top choice for almost every team.
Afridi will now form a powerful pace attack with Heat bowlers Spencer Johnson, Michael Neser and Xavier Bartlett.
NUMBER ONE PICK🦅
— Brisbane Heat (@HeatBBL) June 19, 2025
With Pick Number One of the #BBL15 Draft, we’ve selected Pakistani fast bowler @iShaheenAfridi 🇵🇰🩵 pic.twitter.com/nIqMGofgc8
Haris Rauf was also a hot pick. Melbourne Stars had to use their retention rights to keep him after Adelaide Strikers tried to snatch him with the second overall pick.
Mohammad Rizwan is one of the world’s top wicket keeper-batters and was picked by Melbourne Renegades at pick No.4 even though the team had already pre-signed another keeper Tim Seifert.
Rizwan, the Renegade! 😤❤️🖤
— Melbourne Renegades (@RenegadesBBL) June 19, 2025
We've gone WORLD-CLASS with Pick 3 in the #BBL15 Draft. pic.twitter.com/wno39UrFrk
At pick No.3, the Strikers surprised many by choosing England’s left-arm pacer Luke Wood and missing out on Rauf. Then Sydney Sixers grabbed Sam Curran at pick No.7 while Sydney Thunder used their retention pick to hold on to Lockie Ferguson at pick No.8.
Some teams confirmed pre-signed international players early. Perth Scorchers locked in Finn Allen (New Zealand) and Hobart Hurricanes confirmed Chris Jordan (England).
Uncapped USA allrounder Hassan Khan who played just once for the Renegades last season was picked again early. He has been in form in the MLC (Major League Cricket).
Shadab Khan was chosen by Sydney Thunder at pick No.12 after they traded up in the second round. This will be Shadab’s fourth BBL team by having previously played for Heat, Sixers and Hurricanes.
Hasan Ali who is another experienced Pakistani pacer was picked by the Adelaide Strikers in round three.
BBL 2025 Final Teams 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
