The Big Bash League (BBL) 2025 Draft saw a flurry of exciting international picks, with Pakistani pace sensation Shaheen Shah Afridi and England’s Luke Wood among the top selections. However, a surprising snub in the draft was that of England’s fast bowler Jofra Archer, who went unpicked despite making himself fully available for the tournament.
Shaheen Shah Afridi Lands Top Pick
Brisbane Heat wasted no time in securing their target, nabbing Shaheen Shah Afridi as the No. 1 overall pick in the BBL|15 Draft. The left-arm quick, known for his blistering pace and swing, will be making his BBL debut and is set to bolster the Heat’s already potent pace attack. His full availability for the entire tournament, including finals, makes this a significant acquisition for the Brisbane-based franchise.
Luke Wood a Surprise Early Selection
Following Shaheen Afridi and a retention pick for Haris Rauf by the Melbourne Stars, the Adelaide Strikers made a notable move by selecting England’s left-arm seamer Luke Wood with the No. 3 pick. Wood, who previously played for the Melbourne Stars, brings a wealth of T20 experience and impressive skills, including the ability to swing the new ball and deliver under pressure in the death overs.
Haris Rauf Retained by Melbourne Stars
The Melbourne Stars successfully fended off interest from the Adelaide Strikers to retain Haris Rauf. The Pakistani speedster, who has been a cult hero for the Stars in previous seasons, will continue to ply his trade in dark green, having taken 36 wickets in 22 games for the franchise.
Mohammad Rizwan and Sam Curran Also Go Early
Pakistan’s ODI captain and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan was picked up by the Melbourne Renegades, adding significant international experience and a dynamic presence to their top order. England all-rounder Sam Curran, player of the match in the 2022 T20 World Cup final, was snapped up by the Sydney Sixers, despite his limited availability.
Jofra Archer’s Surprising Snub
Perhaps the biggest talking point of the draft was the fact that Jofra Archer found no takers. Despite making himself fully available for the entire BBL|15 season, the injury-prone England paceman, who had played two seasons with the Hobart Hurricanes before his international debut, was overlooked by all eight franchises. Concerns over his recent injury history and potential Ashes commitments likely played a role in teams passing on the express bowler.
Other Notable Picks and Retentions
The draft also saw several other significant moves:
- Finn Allen (New Zealand) was retained by Perth Scorchers.
- Chris Jordan (England) returned to the Hobart Hurricanes.
- Lockie Ferguson (New Zealand) was brought back by Sydney Thunder.
- Pakistan’s Babar Azam was a pre-signing for the Sydney Sixers, and Shadab Khan went to Sydney Thunder.
- In the WBBL Draft, Sophia Dunkley was the top pick for Sydney Sixers, while Sophie Ecclestone went to Adelaide Strikers. Several key WBBL players like Jemimah Rodrigues, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Heather Knight, and Deandra Dottin were also retained by their respective franchises.
