Despite playing a crucial role in Pakistan’s success in the cricketing field, star players Babar Azam and Mohammed Rizwan have gone “unsold” after failing to attract bids at The Hundred 2024 player draft.
The development comes as both Babar and Rizwan, along with the national side’s T20 skipper Shaheen Afridi had registered for draft at the 11th hour.
As many as 64 Pakistan cricketers, 59 men and five women, registered for 2024 The Hundred Draft earlier this month.
However, the duo are not the only Pakistani players to not get picked as the list includes Shadab Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Hasan Ali and Mohammad Amir.
Also, notable international players, Jason Roy, David Warner, Tim David, and Shakib Al Hasan were also not picked by the franchises.
Meanwhile, Green Shirts’ star pacer Shaheen has been picked again by Welse Fire for £100,000 — the franchise he had represented last year as well.
Two Pakistan bowlers — Haris Rauf (Welsh Fire) and Usama Mir (Manchester Originals) were retained ahead of the draft.
Retired all-rounder Imad Wasim who recently played a crucial role in Islamabad United’s win in the Pakistan Super League (PSL 9), has also re-turned to Trent Rockets for £100,000 whereas pacer Naseem Shah was picked by Birmingham Phoenix for £125,000.
West Indies players were in high demand at the draft with Northern Superchargers picking Nicholas Pooran as the first signing of the draft.
Andre Russell and Shimron Hetmyer will play for London Spirit, Kieron Pollard has joined Southern Brave and Rovman Powell was a top pick at Trent Rockets.
Furthermore, no Pakistani player was picked in the women’s draft which saw Australian cricketers being highly sought after with Meg Lanning, Beth Mooney, Ashleigh Gardner, Lauren Cheatle, Jess Jonassen, Sophie Molineux being picked in the auction.
Smriti Mandhana and Richa Ghosh were the two selected Indian players in the draft. It must be noted that the fourth edition of The Hundred is scheduled to kick off on July 23 later this year.—Agencies
