Pakistan’s superstar trio of Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi are set to be included in the BBL’s inaugural draft for international cricketers for the Big Bash League’s 12th edition. The draft will take place on Saturday, August 28, after the first ODI between Australia and Zimbabwe in Townsville.

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam, who led his side to a historic Test victory at Galle in the first Test against Sri Lanka, is the highest ranked T20I player and will be a part of the tournament alongside compatriot Mohammad Rizwan, ranked second in the T20I rankings. Meanwhile, pace sensation Shaheen Afridi will also join the two senior batters in the competition.

The BBL draft had already announced the names of some prestigious talents with a wealth of experience in the format, like Rashid Khan, Kieron Pollard, and Dwayne Bravo, and the inclusion of the Pakistani trio is guaranteed to draw attention from the subcontinent viewers.

Notably, Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan have played in the BBL previously and are also likely to feature in this year’s edition. According to a report in the Daily Telegraph, the trio was contacted last season as well, but the talks did not materialize.

We will do everything we can to retain Rashid Khan: Adelaide Strikers head coach Jason Gillespie

Afghanistan’s globetrotting leggie Rashid Khan, who has featured for the Adelaide Strikers in 61 matches and has snared 92 wickets, is on the verge of becoming the first foreign player to scalp 100 wickets in the tournament. Adelaide’s head coach Jason Gillespie has stated that they are willing to go the distance to secure his retention in the team.

“We will do everything we can to retain the Afghanistan leg-spinner, who has played 61 matches for the club,” Gillespie said.

Melbourne Renegades, who were the wooden spooners last season, have clinched the right for the first pick in the inaugural overseas player’s draft of the BBL after being drawn first in the weighted lottery. The draft will be hosted by Fox Cricket’s Adam Gilchrist, Michael Hussey, Darren Lehmann, Kath Loughnan, and Mark Howard on the 28th of August.

Big Bash League (BBL) 2022-23’s draft and the order of the overseas player draft for the next season has been framed through a weighted lottery process on Wednesday (July 20). The weighted lottery is a method introduced to determine the draft order with the help of the team standings from the previous BBL season.

Melbourne Renegades, who finished last in the points table of BBL 2021-22 season, will get the first pick in the overseas draft order while Hobart Hurricanes who finished fifth in the season will go last in the overseas draft order. Defending champions Perth Scorchers have been placed sixth.

Here’s the overseas player draft order for the opening round

1. Melbourne Renegades
2. Melbourne Stars
3. Brisbane Heat
4. Sydney Sixers
5. Adelaide Strikers
6. Perth Scorchers
7. Sydney Thunder
8. Hobart Hurricanes

It has to be noted that there will be four rounds overall with each team selecting a minimum of two and a maximum of three players in total. Round one will consist of a platinum band while rounds two to four will follow a snaking order. Hurricanes will get the first pick in round three which is for Gold or Silver players, while Renegades will have the first pick in rounds two and four.

“Having the opening pick means we can attack the draft with a really clear plan, not just in terms of that specific selection, but also how we utilise our remaining picks to best build our squad,” Melbourne Renegades general manager, James Rosengarten, said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

Rashid Khan expected to be retention pick for Adelaide Strikers

According to reports, over 170 players have registered their names for the draft which is set to take place on August 28. The draft is also scheduled to be telecast on Fox Sports after Australia‘s first ODI against Zimbabwe. Each team has been given one retention pick they can use on a player who appeared for them last season and Rashid Khan is expected to be retained by the Adelaide Strikers at first given his match-winning abilities.

Superstar bowler Rashid Khan along with two West Indies veterans Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo are expected to play in the upcoming 2022 Big Bash League (BBL). The trio has played more than 1,000 T20 matches (combined) and is the superstar of the limited-over format.

As per a report in cricket.com.au, Rashid is expected to return to Adelaide Strikers with their head coach Jason Gillespie giving signals that he will do everything they can to retain the Afghanistan leg-spinner, who has played 61 matches for the club.

Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo are free to be picked up by any BBL franchise: Reports

“Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo, whose last BBL appearances were in 2017-18 and 2018-19 respectively, are free to be picked up by any club and are not eligible to be snared on a retention pick. Both Trinidadians are fresh off a stint in England’s T20 Blast where Pollard helped Surrey reach the quarter-finals and Bravo collected nine wickets for the Worcestershire Rapids,” the reports stated.

The 12th edition of the BBL is slated to start on December 13, 2022, with the final match to be played on February 4, 2023. As many as 56 group stage matches will be played before the knockout encounters. Unlike the previous seasons hit due to the Covid pandemic, matches will be played on several grounds across the country giving fans some entertainment in the upcoming edition.

The opening clash of the 2022 BBL will be played between Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Stars on December 13 at the Manuka Oval. Both teams will also play the last group stage match of the season on January 25 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

“We’ve been clear since the end of last season given the disruption of two years that rebounding strongly this season is such a critical thing for us to achieve. This season is one of if not the most important seasons we’ve had in recent years,” Alistair Dobson, the general manager of Big Bash League stated.

The 12th edition of the Big Bash League is set to begin on December 13, 2022, with the grand finale being scheduled for February 4, 2023. A total of 56 matches will be played in the group stage and the fixtures will be hosted by several grounds across the country and the fans will get to experience what they missed in the Covid-hit period. T20 legends from several zones will battle together to win the coveted cup and thus the tournament is going to be much anticipated.

The first game of this season will be played between Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Stars on December 13 at the Manuka Oval. Sydney Sixers and Perth Scorchers have made it to the finals of the grand event in the past two years. Sixers defeated Scorchers to lift the title in the 10th edition and the exact opposite happened in the previous season as Perth lifted the cup by defeating Sixers.

Perth Scorchers, the defending champions will begin their campaign on December 17 against Sydney Sixers. Just like the previous edition of the competition, eight sides, namely Adelaide Strikers, Melbourne Stars, Hobart Hurricanes, Melbourne Renegades, Perth Scorchers, Sydney Thunder, Brisbane Heat, and Sydney Sixers. will compete against each other to lift the prized trophy.

Between December 13th to January 25th of the group stage fixtures, only 25th December will be an off day owing to Christmas. Thus, there will be at least one clash on all other days throughout the scheduled period. The eliminator will be played on January 27, whereas the Qualifier and the Knockout game are scheduled for January 28 and January 29 respectively. The Challenger will be played on February 2nd and the finals will be played on February 4.

“We’ve been clear since the end of last season given the disruption of two years that rebounding really strongly this season is such a critical thing for us to achieve. This season is one of if not the most important seasons we’ve had in recent years,” Alistair Dobson, the general manager of Big Bash League told ESPNCricinfo.

BBL12 fixtures

December 13: Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Stars, Manuka Oval

December 14: Adelaide Strikers vs Sydney Sixers, Adelaide Oval

December 15: Brisbane Heat vs Melbourne Renegades, Cazalys Stadium (Cairns)

December 16: Melbourne Stars vs Hobart Hurricanes, MCG

December 16: Sydney Thunder vs Adelaide Strikers, Sydney Showground

December 17: Perth Scorchers vs Sydney Sixers, Optus Stadium

December 18: Melbourne Renegades vs Sydney Thunder, Marvel Stadium

December 19: Hobart Hurricanes vs Perth Scorchers, University of Tasmania Stadium

December 20: Adelaide Strikers vs Sydney Thunder, Adelaide Oval

December 21: Melbourne Renegades vs Brisbane Heat, GMHBA Stadium (Geelong)

December 22: Sydney Sixers vs Hobart Hurricanes, SCG

December 23: Melbourne Stars vs Perth Scorchers, CitiPower Centre

December 23: Brisbane Heat vs Adelaide Strikers, Gabba

December 24: Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Renegades, Blundstone Arena

December 26: Sydney Sixers vs Melbourne Stars, SCG

December 26: Perth Scorchers vs Adelaide Strikers, Optus Stadium

December 27: Sydney Thunder vs Brisbane Heat, Sydney Showground

December 28: Sydney Sixers vs Melbourne Renegades, SCG

December 29: Brisbane Heat vs Sydney Thunder, Metricon Stadium

December 29: Perth Scorchers vs Melbourne Stars, Optus Stadium

December 30: Melbourne Renegades vs Sydney Sixers, GMHBA Stadium (Geelong)

December 31: Sydney Thunder vs Hobart Hurricanes, Lavington Sports Ground (Albury)

December 31: Adelaide Striker vs Melbourne Stars, Adelaide Oval

January 1: Melbourne Renegades vs Perth Scorchers, Marvel Stadium

January 1: Brisbane Heat vs Sydney Sixers, Gabba

January 2: Hobart Hurricanes vs Adelaide Strikers, Blundstone Arena

January 3: Melbourne Stars vs Melbourne Renegades, MCG

January 4: Sydney Sixers vs Brisbane Heat, North Sydney Oval

January 4: Perth Scorchers vs Sydney Thunder, Optus Stadium

January 5: Adelaide Strikers vs Hobart Hurricanes, Adelaide Oval

January 6: Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Sixers, MCG

January 7: Melbourne Renegades vs Hobart Hurricanes, Marvel Stadium

January 7: Perth Scorchers vs Brisbane Heat, Optus Stadium

January 8: Sydney Thunder vs Sydney Sixers, Sydney Showground

January 9: Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Stars, Blundstone Arena

January 10: Adelaide Strikers vs Melbourne Renegades, Adelaide Oval

January 11: Brisbane Heat vs Perth Scorchers, Gabba

January 12: Melbourne Stars vs Adelaide Strikers, MCG

January 13: Sydney Thunder vs Perth Scorchers, Sydney Showground

January 14: Adelaide Strikers vs Brisbane Heat, Adelaide Oval

January 14: Melbourne Renegades vs Melbourne Stars, Marvel Stadium

January 15: Hobart Hurricanes vs Sydney Thunder, Blundstone Arena

January 15: Sydney Sixers vs Perth Scorchers, SCG

January 16: Melbourne Stars vs Brisbane Heat, MCG

January 17: Sydney Sixers vs Adelaide Strikers, C.ex Coffs International Stadium

January 18: Perth Scorchers vs Hobart Hurricanes, Optus Stadium

January 19: Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Renegades, Manuka Oval

January 20: Adelaide Strikers vs Perth Scorchers, Adelaide Oval

January 20: Brisbane Heat vs Hobart Hurricanes, Gabba

January 21: Sydney Sixers vs Sydney Thunder, SCG

January 22: Brisbane Heat vs Melbourne Stars, Gabba

January 22: Perth Scorchers vs Melbourne Renegades, Optus Stadium

January 23: Hobart Hurricanes vs Sydney Sixers, Blundstone Arena

January 24: Melbourne Renegades vs Adelaide Strikers, Marvel Stadium

January 25: Hobart Hurricanes vs Brisbane Heat, University of Tasmania Stadium

January 25: Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Thunder, MCG

January 27: Eliminator, TBC

January 28: Qualifier, TBC

January 29: Knockout, TBC

February 2: Challenger, TBC

February 4: The Final, TBC

Former South African skipper Faf du Plessis has nominated himself for the (Big Bash League) BBL overseas draft.  Du Plessis was roped in by the Royal Challengers Bangalore during the two-day IPL 2022 mega auction and was eventually appointed as their captain just two weeks before the commencement of the tournament. Du Plessis “will be available for at least a portion of the upcoming season” reportedly.

Meanwhile, the veteran Proteas batter was also one of four overseas players announced as the first batch of nominees for the draft which is scheduled to be held in August. The others in this list include the likes of Faf’s countryman and former teammate Rilee Rossouw, ex-Proteas and current Namibia all-rounder David Wiese, and former South Africa fast bowler Marchant de Lange.

Faf du Plessis was in great form in IPL 2022

The former Proteas skipper has made just a solitary appearance in BBL which happened to be way back in the 2012 edition where he had represented the Melbourne Renegades and played alongside the current Australian limited-overs skipper Aaron Finch and Sri Lanka spin legend Muttiah Muralidaran.

Even though the former South African skipper had announced his retirement from Tests back in early 2021, he had made it clear that he is open to playing for the Proteas in ODIs and T20Is. However, the selectors and team management have seemingly looked beyond him and he was not even in the scheme of things during the T20 World Cup 2021 in the UAE.

Faf had an excellent IPL 2022 with the bat finishing with 468 runs from 16 matches at a strike rate of 127.52 including three half-centuries with his highest score being 96. RCB were knocked out in the second Qualifier by going down to the eventual runners-up Rajasthan Royals in a one-sided contest.

It is mandatory for the overseas players willing to participate in BBL to nominate their price category which is in the range of gold, silver, and bronze, and also confirm their availability for the tournament. Meanwhile, reports state that Faf du Plessis could feature in the platinum category. In this category, a player gets the top salary of $AUD340,000.

Australian batter Usman Khawaja signed for the Big Bash League team Brisbane Heat on a four-year contract. He was earlier with Sydney Thunder in the competition and was their highest run-scorer. Khawaja, after the signing, said that he was excited to be “ headed home” on June 29, Wednesday. 

The Australia left-hander earlier expressed that he always thought he would finish as a Thunder player. He also called Brisbane and Queensland his “home”. He added that although he loves Thunder, the change has come at the right time. “I always thought I would finish off as a Thunder player, but it is funny how things change,” Khawaja was quoted as saying by Brisbane Heat.

“I’ve said it for a long time, that Brisbane is home, Queensland is home, and to be here, captain of Queensland, and now joining the Heat – it is really exciting,” said Khawaja. 

It wasn’t an easy decision, but the timing just feels right: Usman Khawaja

“I know I will be playing in front of my family, and a home crowd, when I am at the Gabba or Metricon Stadium with the Heat. I love the Thunder and the Thunder Nation, but at the same time, this is a change that comes at the right time,” said Khawaja.

The 35-year-old was at Thunder from the 2011-12 season to the 2021-22 season and has been with Queensland since the 2012-13 season. “It wasn’t an easy decision, it was a very tough one, but the timing just feels right. I like to say I used to be an honorary Queensland and now I am one,” added the left-hand batter.

After signing for his new Big Bash League team, he wrote on social media that Brisbane and Queensland mean a lot to him and that he was looking forward to working towards “something special and having a bit of fun along the way.”

Khawaja is currently in action for the first Test match against Sri Lanka in Galle International Stadium, Galle, which began on Wednesday. Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first and he is expected to open the batting with David Warner.

One of the most prominent franchise-based tournaments, the Big Bash League (BBL) has introduced a draft system for the upcoming edition to select overseas players. All franchises will have the option of selecting a minimum of two and a maximum of three players.

With the nominations already open, the draft might take place in the coming months. A total of four categories have been kept by the management committee to nominate the overseas players. The categories include Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze. Each category will have a different remuneration amount with the Platinum set as the highest bracket.

A statement from BBL further explained the process as:

Draft order

The Draft Order will be decided via a weighted lottery.

The three teams to miss the Finals in KFC BBL|11 will be entered in the first weighted lottery to determine selections one, two, and three.

The five finalists from last season will then be drawn for selections four to eight.

Draft rounds

The Draft will consist of four rounds with one pick per Club in each.

Clubs may elect to pass in certain rounds, but each Club must pick a minimum of two and a maximum of three players by the completion of round four.

Round one is for Platinum players only and will follow the draft order drawn via the above method. Round two will follow the same order as round one, after which rounds three and four will follow a snaking order.

Retention Picks

Each club is entitled to one Retention Pick to be used in any round of the Draft.

A player is eligible for retention if they have played a match for that Club the previous season.

Total players and replacements

Each Club’s BBL squad will comprise 18 players, including two or three overseas players from the Draft, and the remainder being domestic players.

After the Draft, Clubs will be able to contract up to five replacement overseas players. A player must have been nominated for the Draft to be an eligible replacement overseas player unless approved by the League.

Australian great Ricky Ponting has been appointed as the Head of Strategy by the Big Bash League team Hobart Hurricanes and signed a deal of three years. Hobart Hurricanes stated that he would work on match and list strategy with the coaches, going forward. Ponting also played for the Hurricanes from 2011 to 13 in the Big Bash League (BBL), and the team is yet to win a title.

The Hurricanes, in their statement, added that Ponting would now identify candidates for the now-vacant position of head coach. Ponting reckons that he knows much more about Twenty20 (T20) cricket now than during his playing days. He said that he is looking forward to securing the best coach for what the team needs and then building a plan.

To be asked to take on such a critical role for the Hurricanes is really special: Ricky Ponting

The former Australia captain feels that the competition and game have changed enormously over the years for the Hurricanes. He said that he was “passionate” about how the Tasmanian and Australian cricket have progressed across all forms of the game. He believes that with a few tweaks in some of the key areas, the Hurricanes would have the foundation to lift their first BBL title.

Ricky Ponting has also been in various coaching roles with Delhi Capitals (DC) and Mumbai Indians (MI) in the past in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and also won the competition with MI in 2015. The BBL title currently belongs to the Perth Scorchers, who won it against Sydney Sixers by 79 runs in the final, bringing home their fourth title overall in the competition.

“The competition and the game itself have changed enormously from when I played for the Hurricanes back in BBL|01 and BBL|02, and I know so much more about the nuances of the T20 game now than I did then,” said Ponting, as quoted by Cricbuzz.

“I’m passionate about the progression of Tasmanian and Australian cricket across all forms of the game, so to be asked to take on such a critical role for the Hurricanes is really special. I’m looking forward to getting to work and securing the best coach for what we need then building a plan for the team to execute next season.”

In the latest turn of events, Brisbane Heat has come up with a big announcement of ending their 11-year association with Chris Lynn. The Big Bash League franchise also made it clear that no new deal is on the cards for the Brisbane cricketer for now owing to their terrible campaign last season. It is to be noted that Heat finished at seventh place in BBL 11 wherein even Lynn failed to perform on the individual front.

The 32-year-old had already relinquished the captaincy of the side ahead of the 2021-22 season with Jimmy Peirson taking over the duties. In his long tenure, Lynn has been the face of the franchise while captaining them 50 times and playing 102 games for the Heat in total. He also stands to be BBL’s leading run-getter with over 3000 runs but couldn’t replicate his form in the last season wherein he collected just 215 runs in 12 games.

“It’s not a decision that has come easily to the Heat by any means. Chris Lynn and his feats have made an indelible impression on the club, and his efforts over more than a decade can rightly be said to have had an enormously positive effect on cricket. The Heat wish him nothing but the best for the future as he transitions into another phase of his career and thank him wholeheartedly for his commitment to the game in Queensland,” CEO Terry Svenson said as quoted by Cricbuzz.

Chris Lynn will be missed by thousands: Ian Healy

Queensland Cricket’s Recruitment and Retention Committee Chair, Ian Healy added that Lynn would be missed big time but the big decision has been taken in order to build the legacy that Lynn leaves as a foundation player. He has the most number of sixes (180) in the tournament and keeping in mind his hitting abilities, Lynn is expected to bag buyers for the next season easily.

“Chris Lynn will be missed by thousands, however, the decision we have made as a club is about building on the legacy that he leaves as a foundation player, captain, and ambassador for the Heat. We thank Heat members, fans, corporate partners, and sponsors for their wholehearted support of ‘Lynny’ and for recognizing his great performances over the past 11 seasons. He holds a very special place in our history,” said Ian Healy.

Usman Khawaja, who started his Big Bash League career with the Sydney Thunder in 2011, has now decided to move on from the franchise due to family reasons. The left-hander has scored the most runs for the franchise with 1818 runs in 59 fixtures in the last decade and his stint in BBL 2016 will always be remembered as he smacked 345 runs in four games to hand his franchise a title.

Khawaja recently had reentered the Australian playing XI after scoring twin centuries on his comeback game against England in the Ashes 2021-22 and is now part of the Pakistan tour as well. With Travis Head returning to the playing XI at number five, Australia had no options other than getting Khawaja at the top. However, it will be interesting to see if the 35-year-old does open the batting in Pakistan alongside David Warner.

It’s the toughest call I’ve made as a cricketer: Usman Khawaja

Khawaja said wants to stay close to his hometown of Brisbane with the impending arrival of his second child with his wife Rachel which in turn had reflected his decision. The veteran batter explained the emotions behind leaving the franchise that he has played for more than a decade and noted that he will always care about the club even if he has left now.

“I hate talking about the decision I’ve made… it’s the toughest call I’ve made as a cricketer because Sydney Thunder, the players, the coaching and support staff, and the club’s supporters mean so much to me,” Khawaja said in a statement.

“However, it is for family reasons, and while I’m leaving, people who know me realise a big part of my heart will always remain with Thunder. I don’t want people to think I’ve cut my ties with Sydney Thunder because I’ll always care about the club, the players, the entire organisation.”

Khawaja added that he has seen the franchise from the beginning and stressed his contributions in taking the side forward. He has played 46 Tests, 40 ODIs and 9 T20I so far for Australia, scoring more than 4600 runs across formats.

“A part of that is because I believe I helped shape Thunder from the start. In many ways Sydney Thunder is, to me, like a baby I’ve watched grow and develop,” he added.