The BBL 2025 overseas draft had some big surprises, with Pakistani players stealing the spotlight. Shaheen Afridi made history as the No. 1 overall pick and was one of seven Pakistani players chosen.
Seven Pakistani Players Make BBL 2025 Draft History
Brisbane Heat picked Shaheen, one of the world’s top fast bowlers. It’s the first time he’s available for the full BBL season, and the Heat didn’t miss the chance to sign him.
Shaheen Afridi will join Brisbane Heat’s strong pace team with Spencer Johnson, Michael Neser, and Xavier Bartlett. Meanwhile, Melbourne Stars kept Haris Rauf. The Adelaide Strikers tried to pick Rauf with the second pick, but the Stars stopped it.
Rauf is a fan favorite and one of the most exciting bowlers in the BBL. Pakistan’s wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan was picked at No. 4 by the Melbourne Renegades, surprising many since they already have Tim Seifert.
Adelaide Strikers picked Luke Wood at No. 3. Sam Curran went to Sixers, and Thunder kept Lockie Ferguson. Scorchers and Hurricanes pre-signed Finn Allen and Chris Jordan. Renegades picked USA all-rounder Hassan Khan at No. 11. Thunder took Shadab Khan at No. 12. Hurricanes got Rishad Hossain at No. 13 and added Rehan Ahmed later for spin depth.
Laurie Evans and David Payne rejoined the Perth Scorchers. Hasan Ali was picked by Adelaide Strikers in round three. Tom Alsop returned to the Brisbane Heat, and Jafer Chohan is back with the Sixers.
Here’s the full list of players signed by the clubs at the BBL Draft 2025:
Adelaide Strikers: Luke Wood, Jamie Overton, Hasan Ali
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Brisbane Heat: Shaheen Shah Afridi, Colin Munro, Tom Alsop
Hobart Hurricanes: Chris Jordan, Rishad Hossain, Rehan Ahmed
Melbourne Renegades: Mohammad Rizwan, Hassan Khan, Tim Seifert
Melbourne Stars: Haris Rauf, Tom Curran, Joe Clarke
Perth Scorchers: Finn Allen, Laurie Evans, David Payne
Sydney Sixers: Sam Curran, Babar Azam, Jafer Chohan
Sydney Thunder: Lockie Ferguson, Shadab Khan, Sam Billings
England and South Africa Players Dominate Selections In WBBL 2025
Sydney Sixers shocked many by choosing England batter Sophia Dunkley as the No. 1 pick in the WBBL draft.
The WBBL draft had surprises. Renegades lost Hayley Matthews to injury, and Hurricanes pre-signed Nat Sciver-Brunt. Stars tried to pick Jemimah Rodrigues and Danni Wyatt-Hodge but got blocked, later signing Amy Jones.
Scorchers missed out on Heather Knight and Deandra Dottin but kept Sophie Devine and added Paige Scholfield and Chloe Tryon. Thunder picked Shabnim Ismail, Chamari Athapaththu, and Knight. Tammy Beaumont rejoined the Strikers. Renegades made two picks and can add one more.
Here’s the full list of players signed by the clubs at the WBBL Draft 2025:
Adelaide Strikers: Sophie Ecclestone, Laura Wolvaardt, Tammy Beaumont
Brisbane Heat: Jemimah Rodrigues, Chinelle Henry, Nadine de Klerk
Hobart Hurricanes: Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Linsey Smith
Melbourne Renegades: Deandra Dottin, Alice Capsey
Melbourne Stars: Amy Jones, Marizanne Kapp, Dani Gibson
Perth Scorchers: Sophie Devine, Paige Schofield, Chloe Tryon
Sydney Sixers: Sophia Dunkley, Amelia Kerr, Maddy Villiers
Sydney Thunder: Heather Knight, Chamari Athapaththu, Shabnim Ismail
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