Shaheen Afridi headlines Pakistan contingent in Big Bash League Dreaft

Shaheen Afridi was the top pick in the KFC BBL|15 Draft, leading a strong Pakistani presence alongside Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. Across BBL and WBBL drafts, 47 overseas stars were signed, with dramatic retention moves reshaping team rosters.

Hyderabad: Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi will be one of the stars of KFC BBL|15 after the Brisbane Heat swooped on the left-arm speedster with the first pick in this year’s Big Bash Draft.

Afridi, rated as one of the best new-ball bowlers on the planet, was drafted alongside six countrymen including Babar Azam (pre-signed by the Sydney Sixers) and Mohammad Rizwan (Melbourne Renegades) who headline an influx of Pakistan talent.

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The Melbourne Stars retained Haris Rauf after the Adelaide Strikers attempted to take the fast bowler with Pick 2, before settling on Luke Wood (Pick 3) to make it three quicks taken in succession to begin the draft.

Platinum Pre-Signed internationals Finn Allen (Perth Scorchers) and Chris Jordan (Hobart Hurricanes) were both taken in the first round, while Sam Curran and Lockie Ferguson were first picked by the Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder respectively.

The WBBL|11 Draft began in dramatic circumstances with four Retention Picks reshaping the first round.

England opener Sophia Dunkley was taken by the Sydney Sixers with the coveted first pick and Sophie Ecclestone (Adelaide Strikers) followed at Pick 2 before four Retention Picks were used across the next five selections.

Despite strong interest from other clubs, first round selections Jemimah Rodrigues (Brisbane Heat), Danni Wyatt-Hodge (Hobart Hurricanes), Heather Knight (Sydney Thunder) and Deandra Dottin (Melbourne Renegades) will all return to their previous homes.

In a helter-skelter opening round, England international Amy Jones (Melbourne Stars) and Sophie Devine (Perth Scorchers) were the first names off the draft board for their respective clubs.

Throughout both Drafts, 15 Pre-Signed Players were allocated, while five Retention Picks were also activated by clubs, blocking rivals from poaching top overseas talent.

In total, 47 players from across the globe have secured their places on Big Bash League club lists at today’s KFC BBL|15 and Weber WBBL|11 Drafts.

“The League congratulates and welcomes the 47 overseas players recruited across the eight clubs via the Weber WBBL|11 and KFC BBL|15 Drafts. Today’s Drafts brought plenty of action with some huge new names joining the competition, fan favourites returning to Clubs, and big moves with a number of players set to call a new Club home for the season ahead,” said Alistair Dobson, Cricket Australia’s Executive General Manager, Big Bash Leagues.