Explosive Sri Lankan wicket-keeper batter Kusal Perera is set to make his first appearance in the Big Bash League, having officially nominated for the KFC BBL|15 and Weber WBBL|11 Overseas Player Draft. 

The first round of nominations was unveiled Tuesday (10) ahead of the draft scheduled for 19 June.

Perera headlines a strong lineup of international talent eyeing a spot in Australia’s premier T20 competition. 

Also generating significant buzz is Pakistan’s premier paceman Shaheen Afridi, who is expected to be one of the most sought-after players. 

Brisbane Heat, who hold the top draft pick, will have the first shot at securing Afridi’s services.

Afridi is joined by fellow Pakistan internationals Mohammad Rizwan, Haris Rauf, and Shadab Khan – familiar faces in the T20 circuit who have all entered the draft. 

With Pakistan’s international commitments taking a pause between November and February, several of their top stars are now available to play a substantial part of the Big Bash season.

In addition to Perera and the Pakistani quartet, the draft list features more global cricketing firepower including England’s Sam Curran and Alex Hales, New Zealand’s Lockie Ferguson and Tim Southee, and rising West Indies pacer Shamar Joseph.

All nominated players are eligible to compete in the BBL finals, with the majority also available for at least six regular-season fixtures – offering teams both flexibility and experience as they shape their squads for BBL|15. 

(Agencies)