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In a significant development, prominent Pakistani cricketers Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Afridi have chosen not to register for The Hundred 2025 draft. This decision comes amidst a tumultuous period for Pakistan cricket, following an early exit from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
The Hundred Draft 2025: Reason behind the absence of Pakistani trio
Recent cricket developments
Pakistan’s performance in the Champions Trophy was marred by a lack of wins, culminating in a heavy defeat against New Zealand and a loss to India, with their final match against Bangladesh being abandoned due to rain. This poor showing has led to speculation about the future roles of key players like Babar, Rizwan and Shaheen within the team.
Workload management and NOC policies
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been stringent about managing player workloads, especially for all-format cricketers. Recently, the PCB denied No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to Babar, Rizwan, and Shaheen for participation in the Global T20 League in Canada, citing a packed international schedule. This decision reflects the board’s commitment to ensuring that key players are available and rested for critical international matches.
Recent changes in Pakistan’s T20I squad
In a significant move, Babar and Rizwan were dropped from Pakistan’s T20I squad for the upcoming tour of New Zealand, while Shaheen was excluded from the ODI team. This shake-up suggests that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is looking to introduce fresh talent and possibly rebuild certain aspects of the team ahead of major tournaments like the Asia Cup 2025 and the T20 World Cup 2026.
Also READ: From Steve Smith to Rashid Khan – Complete list of direct signings and retained players for The Hundred Men’s 2025
The Hundred Draft 2025: Overview
The Hundred 2025 Draft is set to take place on March 12, featuring a diverse pool of international and domestic players. Here are some key highlights:
Key players and teams
International players: A total of 348 overseas players have registered for the draft. Notable names include Andre Russell, Kieron Pollard and Shimron Hetmyer from the West Indies, alongside Afghan spinner Noor Ahmad, who has the highest reserve price at £200,000123.
Country representation: Australia leads with 70 players, followed by South Africa with 57, New Zealand with 47 and Pakistan with 45 players.
Also READ: From Shadab Khan to Glenn Maxwell – Complete list of players who registered for The Hundred 2025 Draft
