Four Pakistani cricketers have found a place in the draft of Australia's Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26. These include Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Shadab Khan. All four have been included in the first draft list of the league. The full availability of these Pakistani stars has caught the attention of BBL franchises. These Pakistani players will not play any international matches from November to February.

Mohammad Rizwan is the captain of Pakistan's ODI team. Rizwan's ability to score consistently and wicketkeeping make him valuable. His average in T20 is above 48. However, his strike rate has been a matter of concern. Shaheen Afridi's fast bowling has rocked the Pakistani league PSL and The Hundred. His new ball and death overs bowling can prove to be a big strength for the franchises. Haris Rauf's speed and Shadab Khan's all-around ability will also bring a new color to the BBL. Apart from these four, England's Sam Curran, Alex Hales, New Zealand's Lockie Ferguson, Tim Southee, Sri Lanka's Kusal Perera, and West Indies' Shamar Joseph are also in the draft.

BBL General Manager Alistair Dobson said that stars like Rizwan and Afridi will increase the popularity of the league. More than 600 international players are included in the draft. These also include India's Jemima Rodrigues and Shikha Pandey in the Women's BBL. The draft will be held in four rounds. Each team will have to choose at least three foreign players. Brisbane Heat can choose Shaheen as the first pick.

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