The Brisbane Heat selected Pakistan’s superstar Shaheen Shah Afridi as the first overall pick in the Big Bash League (BBL) Draft for Season 15, which took place in Melbourne on Thursday, June 19.

The eight franchises selected 24 players, comprising seven Pakistanis, 12 English, four Kiwis, and one Bangladeshi cricketer.

Shaheen, who brings blistering pace and left-arm swing to the Heat, leads a formidable group of Pakistani players confirmed for the tournament.

In the Platinum category, Pakistan’s white-ball stars – Mohammad Rizwan, Haris Rauf, and Babar Azam (pre-signed) – were also successfully drafted:

• Melbourne Renegades picked up wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan
• Melbourne Stars secured express pacer Haris Rauf
• Sydney Sixers had earlier pre-signed Babar Azam ahead of the draft

In the Gold category, three more Pakistani players were drafted:

• Hasan Ali was picked by Adelaide Strikers
• Shadab Khan joined Sydney Thunder
• Young left-arm spinner Hasan Khan, a former Pakistan U19 star, was selected by Melbourne Renegades

Outside of Pakistan’s representation, Bangladeshi spinner Rishad Hossain was signed by Hobart Hurricanes. England’s Rehan Ahmed (Hurricanes) and Jafar Chohan (Sixers) were also among the notable draft picks.

Men’s BBL Draft 

Round 1

Brisbane Heat – Shaheen Afridi (Platinum)

Adelaide Strikers – Luke Wood (Platinum)

Melbourne Renegades – Mohammad Rizwan (Platinum)

Perth Scorchers – Finn Allen (Platinum)

Hobart Hurricanes – Chris Jordan (Platinum)

Sydney Sixers – Sam Curran (Platinum)

Melbourne Stars – Haris Rauf (Retention) (Platinum)

Sydney Thunders – Lockie Ferguson (Platinum)

Round 2

Brisbane Heat – Colin Munro (Platinum)

Adelaide Strikers – Jamie Overton (Platinum)

Melbourne Renegades– Hassan Khan (Gold)

Sydney Thunders – Shadab Khan (Gold)

Hobart Hurricanes – Rishad Hossain (Gold)

Sydney Sixers – Babar Azam (pre-signed) (Platinum)

Melbourne Stars – Tom Curran (Platinum)

Round 3

Perth Scorchers – Laurie Evans (Silver)

Melbourne Stars – Joe Clarke (Silver)

Sydney Thunders – Sam Billings (Gold)

Melbourne Renegades – Tim Seifert (Gold)

Adelaide Strikers – Hassan Ali (Gold)

Round 4

Brisbane Heat – Tom Alsop (Bronze)

Perth Scorchers – David Payne (Bronze)

Hobart Hurricanes – Rehan Ahmed (Bronze)

Sydney Sixers – Jafer Chohan (Bronze)