In what came as a bit of dampening development for the Big Bash League (BBL), two of the most sought-after players in T20 cricket have pulled out from the upcoming edition of the tournament. West Indies' explosive batter Nicholas Pooran and Pakistan's wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan have withdrawn their names from the BBL Draft. The main reason behind both the players' decisions is their respective team's schedule during the time of the franchise T20 competition.
The 2023 edition of the BBL is scheduled to begin on December 7 and both Pooran and Rizwan are likely to be involved with their national teams during the time. Pooran, who is a key figure in the Men in Maroon's white-ball set-up, will be engaged in a full-blown white-ball series against England. West Indies are scheduled to play three ODIs and 5 T20Is against the Three Lions, starting December 3.
On the flip side, the Pakistan national team is scheduled to tour Australia for a three-match Test series in December. The opening Test for the tour is scheduled to begin on December 14. Hence, Rizwan will be caught up in national duties during the time of the BBL.
Not having the services of the two global T20 superstars is a big loss for the BBL. Pooran and Rizwan have been consistent performers in the shortest format for the game, both for their national teams and various franchise teams. The duo's numbers in T20 cricket are a testament to their outstanding talent and what they add to any T20 side in the world.
Pooran has scored 5,637 runs in 285 T20 matches at a strike rate of 143.61. The left-handed explosive batter has registered 31 half-centuries and one century in the format. Rizwan, on the other hand, has scored 6,945 runs in 238 matches at a strike rate of 127.05 and an average of 43.95. The right-handed batter has scored two centuries and 59 fifties in the format.
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