Will Pakistan Players Join Forces with Ashwin in Australia's Big Bash?
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Synopsis
In a historic move, six Pakistani players are set to play in Australia's Big Bash League, with Shadab Khan partnering up with Indian spin legend Ravichandran Ashwin. This unique collaboration is a first in the franchise cricket world. How will their interactions unfold amidst the backdrop of political tensions?
Key Takeaways
- Six Pakistani players are entering the BBL.
- Shadab Khan will collaborate with Ashwin.
- The BBL presents a unique opportunity for cultural exchange.
- Political tensions have impacted cricket relations.
- This could be a turning point for Indian-Pakistani cricketing interactions.
Mumbai, Oct 26 (NationPress) A total of six players from Pakistan are set to participate in the Big Bash League (BBL) in Australia. Among them, Shadab Khan will join forces with India's legendary spin bowler Ravichandran Ashwin, marking a historic first in any franchise league, according to reports.
The all-rounder Shadab Khan is set to play for Sydney Thunder, the same franchise where Ashwin will also be competing. This unique opportunity allows the young Pakistani star to share the locker room with the Indian spin maestro, as reported by Telecom Asia Sport.
Prominent players like Babar Azam will join Sydney Sixers, Shaheen Shah Afridi for Brisbane Heat, Hasan Ali with Adelaide Strikers, Haris Rauf for Melbourne Stars, and Mohammad Rizwan with Melbourne Renegades.
Due to ongoing political tensions, these archrivals have not engaged in bilateral cricket since 2012, only facing each other in multinational tournaments such as the World Cup, Champions Trophy, and Asia Cup. Recently, Indian players notably declined to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts during the Men's Asia Cup T20 and women's World Cup matches.
Pakistan players have also been excluded from the Indian Premier League (IPL) since its inception in 2008. Ashwin made his IPL debut in 2009, which means he has not had the chance to play with or against any Pakistani players during the League.
In international competitions, Ashwin has faced Pakistan only once in an ODI during the 2017 Champions Trophy final at The Oval, London, where Babar, Hasan, and Shadab were part of the victorious Pakistani team.
The only T20I match featuring Ashwin against these current players occurred during the 2022 World Cup in Melbourne, where Babar, Shadab, and Rizwan played for Pakistan. Ashwin contributed by hitting the winning run in a memorable four-wicket victory, marked by Virat Kohli’s iconic innings of 82 not out off 53 balls.
The potential meeting between Ashwin and the Pakistani players was briefly stalled by the Pakistan Cricket Board in September when it suspended NOC for all Pakistani players from participating in T20 leagues. However, on Saturday, Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg confirmed that the Pakistani players would arrive for the BBL as planned.
It will be intriguing to see if Ashwin extends a handshake to the Pakistani players in the Big Bash League.
The recent deterioration in relations followed the armed conflict during Operation Sindoor after the Pahalgam terror attack, which resulted in 26 casualties.
In response, the BCCI prevented the team from traveling to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, while players chose not to shake hands with Pakistani cricketers during the Asia Cup T20 in the UAE. Indian players also refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, the chairman of the Asian Cricket Council, who is also the president of the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Interior Minister of Pakistan.
Point of View
The participation of Pakistani players in the BBL alongside Ashwin highlights a potential thaw in cricketing relations. Despite the longstanding political tensions, this collaboration could pave the way for future interactions, fostering goodwill and unity through sports.
NationPress
26/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Pakistani players are participating in the BBL?
Six Pakistani players will be part of the Big Bash League this season.
Which teams are the Pakistani players joining?
The players are distributed among various teams: Shadab Khan for Sydney Thunder, Babar Azam for Sydney Sixers, Shaheen Shah Afridi for Brisbane Heat, Hasan Ali for Adelaide Strikers, Haris Rauf for Melbourne Stars, and Mohammad Rizwan for Melbourne Renegades.
Has Ashwin ever played against Pakistani players before?
Yes, Ashwin has faced Pakistani players in international competitions, including the 2017 Champions Trophy final and a T20 match during the 2022 World Cup.
What was the reason for the standoff between Ashwin and Pakistani players?
Political tensions have historically prevented interaction between Indian and Pakistani players, leading to a lack of bilateral matches since 2012.
Will there be a handshake between Ashwin and the Pakistani players?
It remains to be seen if Ashwin will extend a handshake to the Pakistani players during the BBL.
