Pakistani cricketers and fast bowlers were in high demand during Thursday’s Big Bash League overseas player draft, with seven players from the south Asian nation set to appear in the T20 tournament this summer.
Superstar speedster Shaheen Shah Afridi was snapped up by the Brisbane Heat as the No. 1 pick, while MCG hero Haris Rauf returns to the Melbourne Stars for a fifth season.
Later in the WBBL Draft, England’s Sophia Dunkley was signed by the Sydney Sixers, opening the door for the Adelaide Strikers to swoop in and poach strike spinner Sophie Ecclestone.
Watch live coverage of the 2025 BBL & WBBL Draft on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer >
Sixers pick UK star Dunkley with pick 1 | 00:58
WINNERS
Luke Wood
Returning to the BBL for the first time in three years, England quick Luke Wood was a surprise platinum selection during Thursday’s draft, signed by the Adelaide Strikers with the No. 3 pick.
After Pakistan speedsters Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf were snapped up by the Heat and Star respectively, Strikers coach Tim Paine turned his attention towards Wood, a crafty left-armed seamer with a wealth of experience under his belt.
“I think he’s on a really good trajectory, he’s improving every year,” Paine said of Wood.
“He’s experienced the Big Bash, he’s rated really highly in England, he’s got good skills, he can bowl in all phases.
“While Shaheen Afridi was probably everyone’s first pick, we’re really happy to have Luke Wood and get him to Adelaide.
“A real key for us was getting that left-armer … and a guy who could swing the ball early was really important for us.”
During the 2022/23 summer, Wood claimed 20 wickets at 23.55 in an impressive campaign with the Melbourne Stars. He will be available for all matches this season including finals.
Laurie Evans
After he was poached by the Melbourne Renegades last summer, England batter Laurie Evans will return home this season, reuniting with the Perth Scorchers following a brief hiatus.
The right-hander helped the Scorchers win a BBL title in 2022, named player of the final after cracking an unbeaten 76 against the Sydney Sixers at Docklands.
However, Evans was at risk of being overlooked in this year’s draft after his underwhelming 2024/25 Big Bash campaign with the Renegades, accumulating just 102 runs at 17.00.
However, the Scorchers secured the services of Evans, who has indicated he will be available for the entire tournament including finals, by picking him in the third round on a silver deal worth $200,000.
“It’s always nice to bring guys back who have been successful for your club,” Scorchers coach Adam Voges said.
“Laurie’s performances for us over a period of time were excellent. We were sad to see him leave last year, but we’re really excited to welcome him back.
“He’s one of the overseas players who has performed really strongly at Optus Stadium, in our home conditions, which can be tricky at times.”
Rather than retaining Evans, the Renegades picked Pakistan duo Mohammad Rizwan and Hassan Khan.
Rehan Ahmed
England rising star Rehan Ahmed has found a new home at Bellerive Oval, signed by the Hobart Hurricanes on a bronze deal during the final round of the BBL Draft.
The 20-year-old, who has already represented England on 21 occasions across formats, was selected by the Sydney Sixers during the 2023 Draft, but withdrew from the T20 tournament at the eleventh hour due to international commitments.
Although the Sixers have since unearthed another young English tweaker in Jafer Chohan, Ahmed has instead caught the attention of Ricky Ponting down in Tasmania.
The leg-spinner is a proven wicket-taker, while he’s also capable of explosive cameos with the willow — no doubt he’ll be already eyeing the short square boundaries at Bellerive Oval.
However, there remains a lingering chance he could feature in England’s Ashes squad, once again putting his involvement in the Big Bash under a cloud.
Paige Schofield
The first couple of rounds of the WBBL draft were dominated by retention picks and pre-signings — but one selection raised eyebrows.
The Perth Scorchers chose England batter Paige Schofield with their second-round pick, signing her on a gold deal worth $90,000 for her maiden Big Bash contract.
The 29-year-old, who was born in South Africa, has only played two T20Is and missed selection for this year’s Ashes series, while she has only managed one half-century in 16 appearances for the Oval Invincibles in the Hundred.
However, the Scorchers were convinced she had what it took to succeed in the Big Bash.
“We just like the look of her,” Scorchers opener Beth Mooney said.
“She’s done really well in the last couple of years in the England domestic circuit.
“We think she can add a lot of depth to our batting.”
Former New Zealand wicketkeeper Katey Martin continued: “She’s probably a player that people don’t know.
“She’s in and around the England side. She’s a batting all-rounder, good power and good placement as well.
“She’ll be a fantastic top-order player for the Scorchers.”
LOSERS
Paul Walter
Tall Paul won’t be returning to Brisbane this summer.
The England all-rounder became a fan favourite during the 2023/24 season after snaring 17 wickets at 17.11, helping the Heat win their second BBL title.
However, the left-armer struggled during his sophomore campaign in teal, only taking four scalps across six matches with an economy rate of 9.26.
The Heat opted not to retain Walter, who was available for the entire tournament including finals, and instead re-signed fellow Englishman Tom Alsop on a bronze deal.
Jofra Archer
One of many high-profile names to miss out on a Big Bash deal, England speedster Jofra Archer was snubbed by the eight clubs at this year’s draft.
The 30-year-old indicated he would be available for the entire tournament, but he was unlikely to feature in the T20 tournament if selected for the Ashes campaign.
The injury-prone Archer, who hasn’t made a Test appearance in more than three years, played two seasons with the Hobart Hurricanes before his international debut, snaring 34 wickets at 23.29.
Liam Livingstone
From No. 1 pick to ignored altogether, England all-rounder Liam Livingstone was also snubbed during this year’s draft courtesy of a recent dip in form and poor availability.
The right-hander cracked 851 runs for the Perth Scorchers across two seasons before he was snapped up by the Melbourne Renegades as the No. 1 pick in the inaugural BBL draft in 2022. However, he withdrew from that summer’s tournament due to international commitments.
Livingstone, who accumulated 112 runs at 16.00 for the Royal Challengers during the recent Indian Premier League, was dropped from England’s white-ball squads following a disappointing Champions Trophy campaign, putting his international future in doubt.
Lauren Bell
Seamer Lauren Bell led England’s bowling attack during last summer’s Ashes tour of Australia, taking nine wickets as the hosts cruised towards a 16-0 series whitewash.
However, despite several of her national teammates earning WBBL deals, Bell was ignored during Thursday’s draft, with former club the Sydney Thunder instead pursuing South African veteran Shabnim Ismail.
Bell was signed by the Thunder in 2023, but only played two matches for the Sydney-based club that summer with replacement overseas player Chamari Athapaththu pushing her out of the starting XI.