Sydney, 13 December 2025:
When the 15th edition of the Big Bash League begins on 14 December, the tournament will carry a distinct Pakistani flavour and at the heart of it will be Shadab Khan, eager to turn a long road back from injury into a new chapter with Sydney Thunder.
Shadab arrives in Australia after a five-month rehabilitation period following surgery, making this BBL campaign his first competitive outing in some time. For the leg-spin all-rounder, the league represents more than just another overseas assignment; it is a chance to rediscover rhythm, rebuild trust in his body and reassert himself on one of cricket’s most demanding T20 stages.
“The preparations are going very well and the environment here is excellent,” Shadab said after joining the Thunder camp. “This is largely the same group that played last season. Hopefully, the things we couldn’t achieve last year, we can improve this time. The squad is strong and the boys are working hard, our aim is to play good cricket and try to win the tournament.”
This season’s Big Bash is set apart by the presence of six Pakistan Test cricketers – Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and Hasan Ali, an unprecedented show of depth from Pakistan cricket in Australia’s premier T20 league. Among them, four have captained Pakistan at international level, while Shaheen Afridi currently leads the ODI side, adding leadership experience and global appeal to the competition.
Their arrival has generated significant buzz, not only among Pakistani fans but across Australia as well.
“We haven’t seen this many Pakistan players together in the Big Bash before,” Shadab noted. “Because of the big names involved, the league has gained a lot of hype. It’s good for the tournament and good for us as players.”
For Shadab personally, the timing of the BBL could not be more important. After months away from competitive cricket, he views the tournament as a crucial test of both fitness and skill.
“It’s been five months since the surgery and I haven’t played competitive cricket in that time,” he said. “So this opportunity is very important for me — to assess my fitness, my skills, and to perform at a high level again. As an individual and as a representative of Pakistan, I see this as a great chance.”
Australia, too, holds positive memories. Shadab recalls the strong Pakistani support during the 2022 T20 World Cup and expects similar energy in the stands this summer.
“There are a lot of Pakistani supporters here and it’s always special to play in front of them,” he said.
“Australia has been good for us in the past and hopefully this tournament becomes good preparation for us as players and as a nation.”
Beyond performance, the Big Bash offers learning opportunities. Sharing dressing rooms and matchups with elite international cricketers is something Shadab values deeply.
“When you play alongside or against players like David Warner or Pat Cummins, you learn so much,” he explained. “It’s not just about skills — it’s about mindset, handling ups and downs, fitness and longevity. These are lessons you carry forward in your career.”
The prospect of facing close friends such as Babar Azam adds another intriguing layer to the tournament.
Shadab downplays individual rivalries, viewing them instead as competitive contests shaped by preparation and pressure on the day.
“We’ve played against each other for years and know each other’s games well,” he said. “On any given day, it’s about who handles pressure better and executes their plans. Playing against friends in another country makes it even more enjoyable.”
As an all-rounder, Shadab is clear about his priorities. While his batting and fielding have grown in stature, he insists his value begins with the ball.
“I know that my batting only becomes useful if I bowl well,” he said. “People sometimes assume focus shifts, but that’s not how it works. As a player, you know your primary role and the team knows it too.”
With the Big Bash set to begin, Shadab Khan steps into BBL 15 carrying expectations of comeback, performance and leadership, but also optimism. For him and for Pakistan cricket, this season represents a platform not just to entertain, but to reinforce their presence on one of the world’s biggest T20 stages.
“We are excited, just like the fans,” Shadab said. “Hopefully, we can be good ambassadors for our country and take Pakistan cricket’s reputation to the next level.”
