KARACHI: Pakistan’s star cricketers Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi have reached Australia for the upcoming 15th edition of the Big Bash League (BBL), scheduled to get underway on December 14.
The announcement was made by Babar and Shaheen’s respective franchises, the Sydney Sixers and the Brisbane Heat, respectively, on social media.
Shaheen, who was the number one draft pick, was the first to reach the country as he landed at the Brisbane Airport in the wee hours of Tuesday.
“The number one draft pick has landed. Welcome to Brisbane, [Shaheen Shah Afridi],” the Heat wrote on X, formerly Twitter, while sharing the pictures of the left-arm pacer at the airport.
Meanwhile, the Sixers announced Babar’s arrival in the evening through a 14-second video, featuring the star batter entering a dressing room, followed by a short message, stating, “He’s arrived”.
It is pertinent to mention that the BBL 15 will run from December 14 to January 25, 2026, featuring 44 matches scheduled in prime early-evening slots.
Training camps have already begun at the respective team venues, with Pakistan’s players, including Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan and Hasan Ali, participating to acclimatise to local conditions.
For the unversed, a total of seven national cricketers are contracted for the tournament, with Babar set to represent Sixers, Shaheens was signed by the Heat, Rizwan and Hassan Khan to play for Melbourne Renegades, Rauf will represent Melbourne Stars, Shadab has signed with Sydney Thunder, while Hasan Ali was drafted by Adelaide Strikers.
The BBL 15 fixture list has been released, with the finals retaining the classic four-game format. The Qualifier will begin on January 20, leading up to the grand final on January 25, 2026.
During the tournament, players will remain available for national duties as required.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had issued No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to all participating players, ensuring their availability for both domestic and international commitments.
