Pakistan’s rise in the Big Bash League (BBL) owes much to a new level of cooperation between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Cricket Australia (CA). The boards have strategically aligned BBL and PSL schedules to avoid clash and ensure smooth player availability, along with easier NOC access for full-season participation.
This season’s draft saw a strong Pakistani presence. Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Haris Rauf, and Shadab Khan all featured in the June 19 draft. Among them, Shaheen was the first overall pick by Brisbane Heat, Rizwan went to Melbourne Renegades, Haris to Melbourne Stars, and Shadab to Sydney Thunder.
Additionally, seasoned leg-spinner Usama Mir secured a spot with the Melbourne Stars. He remains the only returning Pakistani from last year’s BBL. Young pace ace Zaman Khan also joined the Thunder, known for his death bowling flair
To support this player influx, PCB has issued so-called “limited NOCs” to ensure players can participate in key BBL matches without conflicting with national duties . This move reflects the boards’ effort to balance international commitments with global franchise exposure.
Beyond players, the strategic partnership also includes training for local curators, shared tours for U‑19, A‑team, and women’s sides, and infrastructure exchange programs. This growing collaboration not only raises Pakistan’s cricketing profile but also strengthens ties with Australia’s premier T20 event.