Mumbai, Oct 26 – Six Pakistan players are set to light up Australia’s top domestic cricket, the Big Bash League (BBL), as more than a dozen fans celebrate the unexpected team‑mixing. The move is historic, with former Indian spin star Ravichandran Ashwin joining Pakistan’s Shadab Khan in the same squad.
All‑rounder Shadab Khan will spin for Sydney Thunder. Ashwin’s veteran left‑arm spin will be on the same payroll, giving the 11‑year‑old Pakistan star a chance to share a dressing‑room with the Indian legend—an unprecedented first‑ever joint debut in any franchise league.
Other Pakistan stars line up across the BBL:
- Babar Azam – Sydney Sixers
- Shaheen Shah Afridi – Brisbane Heat
- Hasan Ali – Adelaide Strikers
- Haris Rauf – Melbourne Stars
- Mohammad Rizwan – Melbourne Renegades
These players will compete across eight venues, bringing fresh rivalry and variety to the league that already boasts a global fan base.
Why now? The decision follows a new stand‑up from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that finally lifted the temporary ban on Pakistani players participating in overseas T20 leagues. Cricket Australia confirmed that all BBL squads will field the new Pakistani talent as scheduled, despite a brief pause earlier this month.
A cut‑throat history
India and Pakistan have avoided one‑on‑one series since 2012, thanks to political tension, but both sides still meet in major tournaments. In the World Cup, the Champions Trophy and Asia Cup, players have faced each other repeatedly, though recent clashes have seen symbolic gestures—no handshakes, no trophy hand‑off—heighten the drama.
Ravichandran Ashwin has never played with or against Pakistan teammates in the Indian Premier League (IPL), the premier T20 competition that has barred Pakistani players since its 2008 launch. He only faced Pakistan in a single One Day International (ODI) final in 2017 and a memorable 2022 World Cup T20 against Babar, Shadab and Rizwan.
Looking ahead
The BBL will showcase a new level of international crossover. If Ashwin and the Pakistani stars interact on the field—or even handshake—fans will see a symbolic break in long‑standing cricketing friction. Cricket lovers worldwide will be watching to see whether the historic partnership carries beyond the pitches of Sydney and Melbourne.
With the BBL starting this weekend, the league is building a fresh narrative that blends skill, spice, and diplomacy—an inviting story for fans and casual readers alike.
Source: ianslive
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