A considerable number of Pakistani cricketers are looking to test their fortunes in the upcoming Big Bash League, with high anticipation for players like Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Shadab Khan, and Mohammad Rizwan.
The list of registered players for the draft of the Big Bash League has been unveiled, comprising 376 foreign players from 29 nations who have shown interest in participating. More than 30 Pakistani cricketers with international experience are part of this group.
Among them, the standout names are Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Shadab Khan, and Muhammad Rizwan. While Naseem and Rizwan have yet to make their mark in the BBL, Haris Rauf has been a key player for the Melbourne Stars, having participated in the Melbourne Cricket Ground for three seasons from 2019 to 2022. Shadab Khan was part of the Hobart Hurricanes in the previous edition, and both he and Haris Rauf could potentially remain with their respective teams. The player drafts for the men’s and women’s Big Bash events are set for the upcoming Sunday, aiming to recruit a total of 40 foreign players for both tournaments. The salary cap for the series stands at $420,000.
Joining the likes of Fakhar Zaman, Osama Mir, Shan Masood, Mohammad Hasnain, Yasir Shah, Asif Ali, and Usman Shinwari in the draft are also included. Mohammad Hasnain, who faced a suspension due to his bowling action, made a successful comeback by taking 15 wickets in five matches after diligently working on correcting his action for four months.
Should they be chosen, it will be Shadab Khan’s fourth appearance in the league, mirroring the experience of Haris Rauf, who has represented both the Brisbane Heat and Sydney Sixers. Haris Rauf’s previous season with the Hurricanes was unfortunately cut short by an injury, during which he managed to claim 7 wickets.
Shadab Khan, a 24-year-old leg-spinner, possesses the ability to be a powerful middle-order batsman. His ranking as the fourth-best T20 all-rounder speaks to his capabilities. Notably, he showcased his skills by scoring 52 runs off 22 balls and taking 2 wickets for 16 runs in a match against South Africa in Australia last year. This could potentially elevate his demand in the upcoming season.
