In the recently concluded drafts for Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL) and Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), leg-spinner Usama Mir emerged as the only Pakistani player to be picked for the upcoming BBL season. Despite the availability of 69 male and 11 female Pakistani cricketers, Usama was selected by the Melbourne Stars in the third round of the draft. He had previously played for the same franchise in the 2023-24 edition of the league.
The BBL, which will run from December 15, 2024, to January 27, 2025, prioritized foreign players who are expected to be available for the entire season, without complications related to No Objection Certificates (NOCs). Pakistani players often face uncertainty in securing NOCs due to their national team commitments, which limits their participation in international leagues like the BBL.
The first-round picks of the draft featured notable international cricketers, including Ben Duckett (Melbourne Stars), James Vince (Sydney Sixers — retention), Laurie Evans (Melbourne Renegades), and Shai Hope (Hobart Hurricanes). The subsequent rounds saw more international talents being selected, with Usama Mir being picked in the third round by the Melbourne Stars, while several teams chose to pass on their picks in the later rounds.
This year’s draft reflected a strategic focus on securing players who can commit to the entire BBL season, which influenced the selection of many international players.
