Brandon Moyo
SIX Zimbabwe cricket stars have put their names in for the Australian T20 franchise league, the KFC Big Bash League (BBL) overseas player draft which closed on Monday.
Cricket Australia released the full overseas players’ list on Monday and it is made up of 376 players from 29 countries, including the Zimbabwean stars.
The player pick is scheduled for Sunday.
The six Zimbabwean players nominated, and hoping to compete in one of the world’s finest T20 franchise leagues Down Under, are Bradley Evans, Neville Madziva, Brandon Mavuta, Richmond Mutumbami, Richard Ngarava, and Sikandar Raza. Pakistan, West Indies and England are the most represented nations with over 50 players signing up.
None of Zimbabwe’s BBL hopefuls have retention rights as they do not have the requirements for player retention.
Retention requires a player to have been in a Big Bash squad for a minimum of two seasons and haven’t been contracted to another team since.
The player should have been in a Big Bash squad the previous season, was in a team squad last season but did not play in the starting 13 and has been approved by the Big Bash Technical Committee and or, is otherwise approved by the Big Bash Technical Committee due to exceptional circumstances.
From the six Zimbabwean stars, some have international franchise cricket experience having taken part in the world’s biggest T20 leagues.
Raza, who is also a favourite to be picked, goes into the draft with vast T20 experience.
The Chevrons all-rounder comes in with Indian Premier League (IPL) experience having represented Punjab Kings in this year’s edition and was an important part of the team.
Raza is also a Pakistan Super League (PSL) winner with giants Lahore Qalandars.
Left-handed fast bowler, Ngarava also goes into the draft coming from an impressive and successful spell with Galle Titans in the 2023 LPL.
The 13th edition of the BBL is scheduled to start on 7 December. The league has eight teams.