Leg-spinner Usama Mir emerged as the only Pakistani cricketer selected in the 2024-25 Big Bash League (BBL) drafts, earning a spot with the Melbourne Stars for the upcoming season.
Out of 69 male and 11 female Pakistani cricketers available in the draft, Usama was the sole player chosen to participate in the Australian T20 competition.
The Melbourne Stars picked Usama Mir in the third round of the BBL drafts, continuing his stint with the franchise after representing them in the 2023-24 season.
The 2024-25 BBL season is set to run from December 15, 2024, to January 27, 2025. This year’s draft strategy favoured players able to commit to the entire season without the complications of securing No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from their national boards.
Pakistani cricketers often face challenges with NOCs due to national team commitments, which can hinder their participation in global leagues.
The first round of the BBL draft saw prominent selections such as Ben Duckett (Melbourne Stars), James Vince (Sydney Sixers), Laurie Evans (Melbourne Renegades), and Lockie Ferguson (Sydney Thunder).
In the second round, players like Tom Curran (Melbourne Stars) and Chris Jordan (Hobart Hurricanes) were picked, with Usama Mir being selected in the third round alongside Fabian Allen (Adelaide Strikers) and Sherfane Rutherford (Sydney Thunder).