BBL Draft 2025: Shaheen Afridi Headlines Star-Studded Selections
international stars. See the full draft results and team compositions.">
The Brisbane heat secured Pakistani speedster Shaheen Shah Afridi as the first overall pick in the 2025 Big Bash League (BBL) Draft, signaling a major coup for the Queensland-based franchise. Six Pakistani players were selected in the draft,showcasing the depth of talent from the nation in the T20 format.The BBL is set to begin in December 2025, with teams finalizing their rosters to compete for the championship. Cricket Australia hopes the influx of international talent will boost viewership and excitement for the upcoming season.
Key BBL Draft Selections
Afridi’s selection underscores the Heat’s ambition to bolster their pace attack. He is expected to be available for the entire tournament, including the finals, forming a formidable trio with existing Heat bowlers Spencer Johnson, Michael Neser, and Xavier Bartlett. ESPNcricinfo projects the Heat as a top contender for the BBL title with Afridi in their ranks.
Did you Know? Shaheen Shah Afridi was named the ICC men’s Cricketer of the Year in 2021, highlighting his global impact on the sport.
The Adelaide strikers’ attempt to acquire Haris Rauf was thwarted when the Melbourne Stars exercised their retention pick, ensuring the Pakistani bowler remains with the Stars. Elsewhere, the Strikers picked up english seamer Luke Wood, while the Sydney Sixers added all-rounder Sam curran to their squad.curran’s brother, Tom, had already joined the Stars as a pre-draft signing.
BBL Draft 2025: Round-by-Round Results
| Pick | Player | Team | tier | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shaheen Shah Afridi | Brisbane Heat | Platinum | |
| 2 | Haris Rauf | melbourne Stars | Platinum | Retention |
| 3 | Luke wood | Adelaide Strikers | Platinum | |
| 4 | Mohammad Rizwan | Melbourne Renegades | Platinum | |
| 5 | Finn Allen | Perth Scorchers | Platinum | Pre-Signed |
| 6 | Chris Jordan | Hobart Hurricanes | Platinum | Pre-Signed |
| 7 | Sam Curran | Sydney Sixers | Platinum | |
| 8 | Lockie Ferguson | Sydney Thunder | Platinum | |
| 9 | Colin Munro | brisbane Heat | Platinum | Pre-Signed |
| 10 | Jamie Overton | Adelaide strikers | Platinum | Pre-Signed |
| 11 | Hassan Khan | Melbourne Renegades | Gold | |
| 12 | Shadab Khan | Sydney Thunder | gold | |
| 13 | Rishad Hossain | Hobart Hurricanes | Gold | |
| 14 | Babar Azam | sydney Sixers | Platinum | Pre-Signed |
| 15 | Tom Curran | Melbourne Stars | Platinum | Pre-Signed |
| 16 | Passed | Perth Scorchers | ||
| 17 | Laurie Evans | Perth Scorchers | Silver | |
| 18 | Joe Clarke | Melbourne Stars | Silver | |
| 19 | Passed | Sydney Sixers | ||
| 20 | Passed | Hobart Hurricanes | ||
| 21 | Sam Billings | Sydney Thunder | Gold | Pre-Signed |
| 22 | Tim Seifert | Melbourne Renegades | Gold | Pre-Signed |
| 23 | Hassan Ali | Adelaide Strikers | Gold | |
| 24 | Passed | Brisbane Heat | ||
| 25 | Tom Alsop | Brisbane Heat | Bronze | |
| 26 | Passed | Adelaide Strikers | ||
| 27 | Passed | Melbourne Renegades | ||
| 28 | David payne | Perth Scorchers | Bronze | |
| 29 | rehan Ahmed | hobart Hurricanes | Bronze | |
| 30 | Jafer Chohan | Sydney Sixers | Bronze | |
| 31 | Passed | Melbourne Stars | ||
| 32 | Passed | sydney Thunder |
WBBL draft Highlights
In the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) Draft,Sophia Dunkley was the first pick,joining the Sydney Sixers. Other notable selections included Sophie Ecclestone (Adelaide Strikers) and Jemimah Rodrigues (Brisbane Heat), who was retained by her team. The WBBL continues to attract top international talent, enhancing the league’s competitiveness and global appeal.
The Evolution of the BBL Draft
The BBL Draft was introduced to distribute international talent more evenly across the league and enhance competition. teams are assigned draft order based on the previous season’s results, with a weighted lottery system in place. The draft includes multiple rounds, allowing teams to strategically build their squads with a mix of international stars and local players.
Frequently Asked Questions About the BBL Draft
- What is the BBL Draft?
- The BBL Draft is an event where Big Bash League teams select international players to join their squads for the upcoming season.
- How is the draft order determined?
- The draft order is determined by a weighted lottery based on the previous season’s finishing positions.
- What is a retention pick?
- A retention pick allows a team to retain a player who was previously on their roster, preventing other teams from drafting them.
- what are the different tiers in the BBL Draft?
- The BBL Draft includes tiers such as Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze, which determine the salary and availability of the players.
- How many international players can a BBL team draft?
- Each BBL team can draft a limited number of international players, as per the league’s regulations.
What are your predictions for the Brisbane Heat with Shaheen shah Afridi in their lineup? Which BBL team do you think had the best draft?
