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In a high-stakes BBL 2025 Draft, Pakistan’s premier fast bowlers Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf emerged as the most sought-after picks, while England’s pace spearhead Jofra Archer surprisingly found no takers despite being fully available for the season.
Shaheen Afridi Joins Brisbane Heat for First-Ever BBL Stint
Making his much-anticipated debut in the Big Bash League, Shaheen Afridi was snapped up by Brisbane Heat as their first-round pick. The left-arm quick will join an already formidable pace attack featuring Spencer Johnson, Xavier Bartlett, and Michael Neser. With his express pace and lethal swing, Afridi is expected to be a game-changer this season.
Stars Retain Haris Rauf, Strikers Grab Luke Wood
A mini tussle ensued when Adelaide Strikers showed interest in Haris Rauf, only for Melbourne Stars to use their retention rights to bring back the Pakistan pacer, who has bagged 36 wickets in just 22 BBL games. The Strikers quickly responded by drafting England’s Luke Wood, who returns to the league after previous stints with the Stars.
Jofra Archer Goes Unsold
In the biggest shock of the draft, Jofra Archer, despite declaring full availability, went unsold. Fitness and form concerns may have played a role, but the omission raised eyebrows across the cricketing world.
Rizwan, Curran, Ferguson Among Other Key Picks
- Melbourne Renegades strengthened their top order by picking up Mohammad Rizwan, a seasoned international with a calm and consistent batting style.
- Sydney Sixers opted for Sam Curran, another England all-rounder making his BBL debut.
- Sydney Thunder showed faith in injury-prone Lockie Ferguson, while also grabbing Shadab Khan and Sam Billings.
Pre-Signings and Returning Stars
Defending champions Hobart Hurricanes retained Chris Jordan, and Perth Scorchers kept Finn Allen, who recently smashed 151 off 51 balls in the MLC. Other pre-signings included Babar Azam (Sixers), Colin Munro (Heat), and Jamie Overton (Strikers).
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