New Delhi: Pakistan’s wounds from the chastening defeat against Bangladesh in a home Test are still fresh and there seems to be no end to their misery. Still recovering from a humiliating loss against their less-fancied neighbours, Pakistan slumped to a new low on Sunday.
Close to 70 Pakistani cricketers had registered for the Big Bash League (BBL) 2024-25 but only one was picked. There were no takers for seasoned campaigners such as Haris Rauf, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Shan Masood, and young stars like Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique.
28-year-old leg-spinner Usama Mir was the only Pakistani cricketer to be picked in the draft. He will play for the Melbourne Stars. Rauf, who was eligible to be retained by the Stars, was ignored.
Of the 28 players to be picked in the drafts, 14 were English, four each from New Zealand and the West Indies and one each from Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain became only the second Bangladeshi cricketer to play in Australia’s premier T20 competition after veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan. Rishad starred for the Bangla Tigers in the T20 World Cup, picking up 14 wickets in seven matches. The 22-year-old will play for the Hobart Hurricanes.
Ominous signs for Pakistan cricket
Pakistan cricket is still reeling from the damaging defeat against Bangladesh, who scripted history by winning their maiden Test against the Men in Green after 14 attempts. The stunning loss came months after Pakistan slumped to a shock loss against newcomers USA at the T20 World Cup 2024. Both defeats drew angry reactions from Pakistani fans and experts but more than that signalled a bleak future for Pakistani cricket.
The BBL draft humiliation comes as another massive blow for the cricket-loving nation, which has produced several superstars of T20 cricket over the years. The most alarming fact is that BBL franchises not just ignored many established names but also up-and-coming talents like Sahibzada Farhan, Aamer Jamal, Saim Ayub and Abdullah Shafique among others.
The latest humiliation also dents the image of Pakistani cricket, which has produced several T20 globetrotters over the past decade and also the confidence of the young players who aspire to play at the top level.
The exact reason why franchises overlooked the Pakistani cricketers is debatable but also quite obvious. The sorry state of affairs in the Pakistani domestic circuit, favouritism and dressing room politics are some of several obstacles hindering the growth and development of the budding cricketers.
The latest humiliation dents the image of Pakistani cricket, which has produced several T20 globetrotters over the past decade and also the confidence of the young players who aspire to play at the top level. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
