Cricket Australia (CA) has alleviated concerns regarding the participation of Pakistani players in the current 2025/26 Big Bash League (BBL 15), affirming that these players are expected to remain for the entire tournament. This assurance comes in response to anxieties raised when the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced a short T20I series in Sri Lanka set for early January. Notable Pakistani stars such as Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf, and Hasan Ali, who are contracted by BBL teams, were at risk of being called back midway through the season.
CA Chief Executive Todd Greenberg addressed these issues during a press briefing at the third Ashes Test match at Adelaide Oval, confirming that CA received explicit assurances that the Pakistani players signed for the BBL will be available throughout the competition.
In addition to this, Greenberg provided updates on Australia’s upcoming T20I tour of Pakistan, which is scheduled to take place prior to the T20 World Cup, although specific dates have yet to be announced. He mentioned that CA and the Australian Cricketers’ Association have dispatched a small delegation to Pakistan for a security assessment related to this tour. “We’ve just sent a small group to Pakistan to do a pre-tour visit for the February T20Is,” said Greenberg, reflecting on his own positive experience during a tour in 2022.
Furthermore, the three-match ODI series associated with this tour is now slated to take place in June, following the conclusion of both the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and the Indian Premier League (IPL). This development not only ensures a smoother scheduling of international matches but also enhances the collaborative relationship between Australia and Pakistan in the cricketing world.
The confirmation of player availability underscores CA’s commitment to ensuring that the BBL maintains its competitive edge while also fostering international ties in cricket. Fans can look forward to an exciting BBL season with some of the best talent from Pakistan participating without interruptions.