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Cricket Australia confirms Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi and other Pakistani stars will play the full BBL 15 despite Pakistan’s January tour.

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Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi and Other Pakistan Stars to Play Entire BBL 15

Cricket Australia (CA) has put an end to speculation surrounding the availability of Pakistani cricketers in the Big Bash League 15, confirming that Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, and other Pakistani stars will remain part of the tournament for its entire duration.

The assurance comes amid concerns that Pakistan’s upcoming T20I tour of Sri Lanka in January could force the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to recall key players midway through the league.

Cricket Australia Confirms Full Availability of Pakistani Players

Speaking to reporters at the Adelaide Oval, Cricket Australia Chief Executive Todd Greenberg said the board had received clear assurances regarding the participation of Pakistani players.

“We’ve been told that if they’ve been signed by the BBL, they’ll play the whole BBL,” Greenberg stated.

His remarks provide relief to BBL franchises and fans who were worried about losing high-profile overseas players during the crucial middle phase of the tournament.

Pakistan’s Sri Lanka Tour Raised Selection Concerns

Pakistan is scheduled to tour Sri Lanka for a T20I series in January, a timing clash that triggered concerns over possible player withdrawals from the Big Bash League.

Historically, national commitments have often taken priority over franchise leagues, especially during bilateral series. However, CA’s confirmation suggests coordination between boards to ensure continuity for BBL teams.

Australia’s T20I Tour of Pakistan Also on Agenda

Greenberg also revealed that Cricket Australia has dispatched a delegation to Pakistan to finalise details for Australia’s T20I tour in February, which will serve as preparation ahead of the T20 World Cup.

Security Talks With Players Planned

• CA plans discussions with Australian players after the Ashes series
• Focus will be on security arrangements in Pakistan
• Greenberg recalled touring Pakistan in 2022, describing it as a positive and memorable experience

BBL 15 Schedule and Pakistani Player Presence

The 15th edition of the Big Bash League began on December 14 and will continue until January 25.

Pakistani Players Participating in BBL 15

A total of six Pakistani international cricketers are part of this season:

• Babar Azam
• Mohammad Rizwan
• Shaheen Shah Afridi
• Haris Rauf
• Hasan Ali
• Shadab Khan

Their presence has significantly boosted interest in the league, particularly among South Asian audiences.

Underwhelming Start for Star Pakistani Trio

Despite high expectations, the star trio of Babar Azam, Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi endured a tough start to their BBL campaigns.

Babar Azam’s BBL Debut

Babar, who was directly signed by the Sydney Sixers, managed just two runs off five balls in the season opener against Perth Scorchers at Optus Stadium.

Rizwan Struggles With the Bat

Representing Melbourne Renegades, Mohammad Rizwan scored four runs off 10 deliveries in his first outing against Brisbane Heat, failing to make an early impact.

Shaheen Afridi’s Difficult Bowling Spell

Pakistan’s pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi also had a forgettable debut with the ball.

• Bowled two over-the-waist no-balls in the same over
• Conceded 9 and 19 runs in his first two overs
• Was removed from the attack during his third over
• Finished with figures of 0/43 in 2.4 overs

The rough start, however, is unlikely to dampen expectations, given Shaheen’s proven match-winning pedigree.

BBL Franchises Back Pakistani Stars

Despite early struggles, BBL franchises remain confident that Pakistani players will find their rhythm as the tournament progresses.

With a full season now confirmed, players like Babar, Rizwan, and Shaheen have ample time to adapt to Australian conditions and make meaningful contributions to their teams.

Why Full Availability Matters for BBL 15

The confirmation that Pakistani players will play the entire BBL 15 is significant because:

• Teams can plan strategies without disruption
• Fans get uninterrupted access to star players
• The league maintains competitive balance
• Overseas player trust in BBL commitments is strengthened

Conclusion

Cricket Australia’s confirmation has removed uncertainty around the participation of Pakistani stars in BBL 15. Despite national commitments on the horizon, players like Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Mohammad Rizwan are set to remain part of the league until its conclusion on January 25.

While their starts may have been underwhelming, the tournament is long — and the best from Pakistan’s cricketing icons may still be yet to come.

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