August 25, 2024

Pakistan’s Naseem Shah and Fakhar Zaman Among Players Entering BBL Draft

Fast bowler Naseem Shah and left-handed batter Fakhar Zaman are among 75 additional Pakistani players entering the drafts for the Big Bash League (BBL) and Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), respectively.

This follows the nominations of long-time BBL regulars like Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Usama Mir, and Zaman Khan. The BBL announced that 64 male and 11 female cricket players from Pakistan have been nominated for the BBL and WBBL international drafts this year. Naseem has taken 24 wickets in 28 T20Is for Pakistan, with best figures of 3/21, an average of 32.75, and an economy rate of 7.69. Meanwhile, Fakhar Zaman has scored 1,848 runs in 92 T20Is at an average of 22.81 and a strike rate of 132.94, including 11 half-centuries.

Other notable Pakistani men’s cricketers entering the BBL draft include current Test captain Shan Masood and Saim Ayub. On the women’s side, newly-appointed Pakistan T20 captain Fatima Sana joins the WBBL draft alongside Nida Dar, Diana Baig, Aliya Riaz, Tuba Hassan, and Syeda Arooba Shah.

On September 1, the WBBL and BBL drafts will both take place. They consist of four rounds, with each club getting one pick per round. Players are categorized into Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze tiers. All eight clubs must select at least two players during the draft. Players signed under pre-draft agreements will be assigned a pick corresponding to their salary band. The BBL is planned to run from December 15 to January 27, 2025, while the WBBL will run from October 27 to December 1.

Matthew Mott Joins Sydney Sixers as Assistant Coach

Sept. 05, 2024

Matthew Mott, the former head coach of England’s white-ball team, was named the Big Bash League’s Sydney Sixers assistant coach on a three-year contract.

For the 2017 season, Mott will assist head coach Greg Shipperd, taking over as assistant coach in lieu of Cameron White, who assumed the head coaching position at the Melbourne Renegades in June.

Matthew Mott, the former head coach of Australia’s women’s team, led the team from 2015 to 2022 and played a vital role in the country’s golden era of cricket.

Mott, alongside former captain Meg Lanning, guided the Australian side to victories in the ICC Women’s World Cup in 2022 and the T20 World Cups in 2018 and 2020, cementing their dominance in the sport.

After stepping down from his role with Australia in 2022, Mott was appointed to lead England’s men’s white-ball teams, where he guided them to a T20 World Cup win in November of the same year.

Joining the Sixers marks a full-circle moment for Mott, whose coaching career began nearly two decades ago as head coach of the NSW Blues men’s team in 2007.

Mott said he was looking forward to returning to Sydney. “I’m delighted to join back up with the Sydney Sixers. Having started my coaching journey in Sydney many years ago, it’s a place that evokes both great memories and a comforting sense of familiarity, which I’m looking forward to,” Mott said.

“The idea of being an assistant to Greg Shipperd, who I have a tremendous amount of respect for, really appealed to me. The Sixers are an exciting team and proven performers over a long period of time, and I can’t wait to get back involved.”

Mott will reunite in Sydney with former Australian vice-captain and current Sixers general manager Rachael Haynes.

“We couldn’t be more pleased to have Motty committed for the next three years with the club. When the opportunity arises to bring a coach of Motty’s calibre into your ranks, it’s a no-brainer. We know what a fantastic resource he will be for our playing group,” Haynes said.

“It goes without saying that his coaching resume speaks for itself. He has an incredible track-record of success around the world, and he’s proven he knows what it takes to build, and sustain, a winning culture.

“Our club is in safe hands under the leadership of Greg Shipperd, and Charlotte Edwards in our women’s program, and we’re delighted to be able to add Motty’s experience to that group, taking us forward,” he added.

Heading into the upcoming BBL season, the Sixers have retained James Vince and signed Yorkshire leg-spinner Jafer Chohan as their final pick. They also secured West Indies left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein ahead of the draft.

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