Pakistan players set to feature in entire BBL: Cricket Australia

Cricket Australia (CA) has received assurances that Pakistan cricketers signed for the Big Bash League (BBL) will be available for the full duration of the tournament, despite a proposed T20I series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in January.

CA chief executive Todd Greenberg said concerns had been raised that several Pakistan players, including Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf and Hasan Ali, could be recalled for the short Sri Lanka tour announced recently by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

However, speaking to reporters on the third day of the Ashes Test in Adelaide, Greenberg said CA had been assured the players would complete their BBL commitments.

“We’ve been told that if they’ve been signed by the BBL, they’ll play the whole BBL,” he said.

Babar Azam joins Australia Big Bash League

Greenberg also confirmed that Australia’s planned T20I tour of Pakistan ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup will go ahead, with dates to be announced later.

He said CA, along with the Australian Cricketers’ Association, has sent representatives to Pakistan to conduct pre-tour security assessments.

In a separate announcement, Greenberg said Australia will host Bangladesh for Test matches in Mackay and Darwin during the Australian winter, with the schedule expected to be confirmed in January.