Melbourne [Australia], June 19: Pakistan's superstar Shaheen Shah Afridi has been snapped up by Brisbane Heat as the first overall pick in the Big Bash League (BBL) Draft for Season 15, held in Melbourne on Thursday. The event saw a total of 24 players picked up by the eight franchises, including 7 Pakistani, 12 English, 4 Kiwis, and one Bangladeshi cricketer among the international stars picked. Shaheen, who brings blistering pace and left-arm swing to the Heat, leads a formidable group of Pakistani players confirmed for the tournament, as per a press release from Cricket Australia. Sydney Sixers Sign Pakistan Stalwart Babar Azam for His Maiden Big Bash League Stint Ahead of BBL 2025.

The Pakistan pacer has taken 310 wickets in 222 T20s at an average of 20.99 and best figures of 6/19, with five five-wicket hauls. 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 and Shadab Khan joined Sydney Thunder. Young left-arm spinner Hasan Khan, a former Pakistan U19 star, was selected by the 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. WBBL 2025: Melbourne Renegades Re-Sign Title-Winning Coach Simon Helmot on Three-Year Deal.

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 Thunder - 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 Thunder - 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). (ANI)

(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)