KARACHI: Former Australian captain Aaron Finch has hailed the Pakistan cricketers who will participate in the upcoming 15th edition of the Big Bash League (PPL) as “global superstars” and hailed them as vital to the country’s game.
A total of six national players have been signed for the tournament including Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Raoob, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Rizwan and Hasan Ali.
Owners with Pakistani cricketers have expressed excitement about the arrival of foreign stars, with some even creating special fan zones named after the players at their home stadiums.
Meanwhile, Finch, who led Australia to their maiden ICC Men’s T20 World Cup glory in 2021, was excited by the prospects of Pakistan cricketers participating in the BPL, hailing them as superstars.
He further emphasized that the presence of international cricketers will help impart knowledge to the budding Australian players, which is crucial for their development.
“They’re not just Pakistani players, they’re Pakistani superstars, they’re global superstars. It’s very important for our game because they’re great players,” Finch said during a podcast.
“I think it’s really important that that knowledge is passed on, and that’s why it’s so important to have the international in our sport,” he added.
Of the six national cricketers, four will make their respective BBL debuts, including star batsman Babar, who was signed directly by the Sydney Sixers ahead of the players’ draft.
The right-handed batsman, who has led Pakistan in three Men’s T20 World Cups, received a hero’s welcome by the franchise, which launched a special fan zone in October titled “Babaristan” to celebrate the 31-year-old’s BBL debut.
Finch particularly praised Baber, citing his playing time against the star batsman and hailing him as one of the best players, saying it was almost impossible to dismiss the former.
“You’ve got one of the best players I’ve ever played against. I played against Babar in Pakistan and he was almost impossible to get out,” recalled Finch.
“I know he’s been a bit quieter in the last 18 months, but he’s a world-beater at his best,” he added.
Finch highlighted Mohammad Rizwan’s unique energy behind the stumps. The former captain fondly quipped, “Mohammed Rizwan never shuts up behind the stumps, but is seriously talented.”
Finch revealed that even Australia’s rising star Jake Fraser-McQuirg learned within days of joining Rizwan.
“He’s been talking about what he’s learned from Rizwan in the few days he’s been here,” Finch noted, emphasizing how valuable such exposure is for developing players.
“Mohammed Rizwan never shuts up behind the stumps, but is very talented,” Finch said with evident admiration.
“I was talking to Jake Fraser-McCurk earlier on a shoot we’re doing together and I knew we were going to chat with him soon, but he was talking about what he’d already learned from Rizwan in the few days he’d been here,” explained Finch.
“It’s incredible not just for the players to engage themselves, but for our players to learn as much as they can,” Finch added.
“You’ve got one of the best players I’ve ever played against. I played against Babar in Pakistan and he was almost impossible to get out,” recalled Finch. “I know he’s been a bit quieter in the last 18 months, but he’s a world-beater at his best.”