Former Australian fast bowler and Sydney Thunder General Manager, Trent Copeland, has praised the inclusion of Pakistan’s Babar Azam and Shadab Khan in the 15th edition of the Big Bash League (BBL). Copeland expressed his excitement in a video shared on BBL’s official social media channels, calling their participation “magic” for the league.
Babar Azam, who was pre-signed by the Sydney Sixers, will make his BBL debut this season, while Shadab Khan joins Sydney Thunder. Shadab confirmed the news through Instagram, sharing a graphic and expressing his excitement to play again in challenging Australian conditions. This marks his fourth BBL franchise after spells with Brisbane Heat, Sydney Sixers, and Hobart Hurricanes.
So far, Shadab has played 12 BBL matches and taken 14 wickets, maintaining a respectable economy rate of 7.50. His experience and all-round skills are expected to boost Thunder’s performance in the coming season. Meanwhile, Babar’s inclusion is seen as a big attraction for fans, given his consistent performances and global fan following.
During the BBL 15 draft held in Melbourne, Pakistani players attracted significant interest. Shaheen Shah Afridi was selected as the first overall overseas pick, while Mohammad Rizwan was picked third in the platinum category. England’s Luke Wood went second, completing the top three.
Moreover, Haris Rauf was retained by Melbourne Stars, where he has been a star performer since 2019. Hasan Ali, set to play his maiden BBL season, was picked by Adelaide Strikers. Former U19 player Hassan Khan was selected by Melbourne Renegades in the Gold category, further strengthening the Pakistani presence in the league.
With several Pakistani stars joining the BBL this year, fans are eagerly waiting to witness high-quality cricket and thrilling performances. Their presence is expected to boost the league’s viewership and bring a competitive edge to the tournament.