During The Hundred 2024 player draft, Babar Azam and Mohammed Rizwan, prominent names in Pakistan’s cricketing scene, experienced a surprising turn of events as they failed to secure bids, leaving them “unsold”. Despite their significant contributions to Pakistan’s cricketing successes, including stellar performances in various formats of the game, they were overlooked during the draft process.
This unexpected outcome unfolded after both Babar Azam and Mohammed Rizwan, alongside T20 captain Shaheen Afridi, decided to register for the draft at the eleventh hour. While their late entry might have affected their visibility and appeal to franchises, it’s noteworthy that they weren’t the only ones from Pakistan to face this fate.
A total of 64 Pakistani cricketers, comprising 59 men and 5 women, had registered for the draft earlier in the month. However, only a select few managed to secure bids, while others, including Babar and Rizwan, went unpicked.
This scenario wasn’t isolated to Pakistani players; notable international cricketers such as Jason Roy, David Warner, Tim David, and Shakib Al Hasan also found themselves in a similar situation.
In contrast, some Pakistani players did find success during the draft. Shaheen Afridi, the star pacer, was retained by Welsh Fire for £100,000, reaffirming his value to the team. Additionally, two Pakistani bowlers, Haris Rauf (Welsh Fire) and Usama Mir (Manchester Originals), were retained by their respective franchises ahead of the draft.
Retired all-rounder Imad Wasim, celebrated for his pivotal role in Islamabad United’s recent triumph in the Pakistan Super League (PSL 9), returned to Trent Rockets for £100,000. Another exciting prospect, pacer Naseem Shah, caught the attention of Birmingham Phoenix, who secured him for £125,000.
While Babar Azam and Mohammed Rizwan’s lack of bids may have come as a surprise given their talent and track record, the dynamic nature of player drafts underscores the uncertainties and complexities inherent in professional sports.
