Cricket Australia (CA) has announced that Pakistani players participating in the Big Bash League (BBL) will take part in the entire tournament. This decision comes despite ongoing concerns regarding their availability due to an impending T20I tour to Sri Lanka in January.
Pakistan Players in the BBL
CA CEO Todd Greenberg confirmed that key Pakistani players, including Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf, and Hasan Ali, will not be pulled from BBL commitments. Greenberg stated, “We’ve been told that if they’ve been signed by the BBL, they’ll play [the whole BBL].”
T20I Tour to Sri Lanka
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently scheduled a T20I series in Sri Lanka, raising concerns about player withdrawals. However, Greenberg reassured fans and stakeholders that the players are expected to remain in Australia for the BBL season.
Future Australian Tours
In addition to BBL preparations, CA is finalising plans for a T20I tour to Pakistan ahead of the T20 World Cup. Dates for this series will be announced in the future. Greenberg mentioned that CA is sending a delegate team to conduct a pre-tour security assessment, highlighting their commitment to player safety.
ODI Series and Bangladesh Tour
During the same month, a three-match ODI series in Pakistan will be postponed to June, after both the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and Indian Premier League (IPL) conclude. This timeline aligns with a series of three ODIs and T20Is against Bangladesh planned for June.
- Bangladesh Tour: The team will visit Australia in August.
- Mackay: Set to host its first Test match, marking the return of Test cricket to the Top End since 2004.
Commitment to Pink-Ball Tests
Cricket Australia also reaffirmed its commitment to conducting at least one pink-ball Test annually until 2031. Greenberg cited the success of pink-ball matches in terms of viewership and fan engagement, stating that the broadcast contracts ensure the format remains integral to the sport.
Greenberg emphasized the advantages of pink-ball Tests, even amidst some criticism. “The night session particularly has double the number of viewers compared to daytime sessions,” he said, highlighting its value as both a broadcast and fan-friendly format.
As Cricket Australia moves forward, they are optimistic about their plans for upcoming series and the continued participation of international players in domestic leagues like the BBL.
