Leg-spinner Usama Mir stood out as the only Pakistani cricketer selected in the 2024-25 Big Bash League (BBL) drafts, earning a spot with the Melbourne Stars for the upcoming season.
Despite 69 men and 11 women cricketers from Pakistan being available in the draft, Usama was the sole Pakistani chosen to compete in the Australian T20 tournament.
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The Melbourne Stars picked Usama Mir in the third round of the BBL drafts, continuing his journey with the franchise after representing them in the 2023-24 season.
The 2024-25 BBL season is set to run from December 15, 2024, to January 27, 2025. This year, the draft strategy favored players who could commit to the entire season without the complications of acquiring No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from their national boards.
Pakistani cricketers often face challenges in obtaining NOCs due to national team obligations, which can affect their participation in international leagues.
The first-round picks of the BBL draft featured well-known players like Ben Duckett (Melbourne Stars), James Vince (Sydney Sixers), Laurie Evans (Melbourne Renegades), and Lockie Ferguson (Sydney Thunder).
In the second round, selections included Tom Curran (Melbourne Stars) and Chris Jordan (Hobart Hurricanes). Usama Mir was chosen in the third round, along with players like Fabian Allen (Adelaide Strikers) and Sherfane Rutherford (Sydney Thunder).
