Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan unpicked at The Hundred draft
In a surprising turn of events, former Pakistan cricket captain Babar Azam and wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan failed to secure any team during The Hundred draft for the 2024 season. Despite being late additions to the draft pool, only Pakistan’s T20I captain Shaheen Afridi managed to secure a deal during the event.
The eight teams competing in the upcoming fourth edition of The Hundred, England’s unique league, finalized their squads after an intense day of drafting. Earlier this month, over 65 Pakistani players registered for the 2024 draft, but disappointingly, only three players were picked.
Pace sensation Naseem Shah fetched the highest price of £125,000 as he was roped in by Birmingham Phoenix. Welsh Fire secured Shaheen Afridi for £100,000, retaining him from the previous edition. Trent Rockets opted for Imad Wasim, the star all-rounder, for the same price, £100,000, after his pivotal role in Islamabad United’s victory in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9.
Manchester Originals retained leg-spinner Usama Mir, while Welsh Fire kept hold of right-arm speedster Haris Rauf. However, notable Pakistani players like Shadab Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, and Mohammad Amir remained unsold, as no franchise expressed interest in them.
The much-anticipated eight-team tournament is set to commence at The Oval on July 23, with a thrilling clash between Oval Invincibles and Birmingham Phoenix.
