Usama, Yastika headline fresh additions to W/BBL 2025 Draft Pool

 

Usama, Yastika headline fresh additions to W/BBL 2025 Draft Pool

Asher Butt

As anticipation builds for the 2025 Big Bash League (BBL) and Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) drafts on June 19, Cricket Australia has unveiled another round of notable international nominees, expanding the pool to over 600 overseas players. Among the standout new names are Pakistan’s Usama Mir and Mohammad Hasnain, India’s Yastika Bhatia, England’s Laurie Evans, and Afghanistan’s Waqar Salamkheil.

For Usama Mir, this marks a potential return to the BBL spotlight. Despite a modest stint last season—claiming 11 wickets in 8 matches at an economy of 7.70—the tall leg-spinner offers match-winning control in the middle overs, a trait increasingly sought-after in modern T20 tactics. His full availability throughout the season, including the finals, makes him a prime candidate for Silver or Gold salary band picks.

Whether Mir continues with the Melbourne Stars, who could use a retention pick to hold onto him, or lands elsewhere will depend on draft dynamics. Under BBL retention rules, a franchise must wait until a rival attempts to select a former player in a matching round before activating the retention clause—adding a layer of strategic intrigue. 

Yastika Bhatia, one of India’s most consistent limited-overs batters, brings fresh energy to the WBBL draft. Known for her left-handed elegance and ability to anchor or accelerate as needed, her nomination strengthens the WBBL’s growing South Asian representation. For franchises seeking top-order versatility, Bhatia is an exciting option.

The inclusion of Hasnain, Evans, and Salamkheil rounds out a group that reflects the global pull of Australia's summer leagues, with franchises prioritizing not just skills but season-long availability—a category where many Pakistani players now excel due to a relatively open international calendar.

With retention picks, salary tiers, and full-season availability in play, the June 19 draft promises to reshape squads across the men's and women’s competitions. Pakistani cricketers, in particular, continue to cement their influence in the global T20 ecosystem—ushering in yet another dynamic BBL chapter.