Finch lauds Babar, Rizwan as key assets to world cricket

Former Australian captain Aaron Finch has heaped praise on Pakistani cricketers, calling them “global superstars” whose presence is vital to the growth of Australian cricket and the Big Bash League (BBL), 24NewsHD TV reported on Friday. 

Speaking on a podcast, Finch said Pakistani players bring exceptional skill and invaluable experience to the league.

“They’re not just Pakistan players, they’re Pakistan superstars, they’re global superstars. That’s so important to our game because they’re such great players,” he remarked.

Finch highlighted the importance of international talent in the BBL, noting that their knowledge and professionalism significantly uplift local players.

“That is so important that that knowledge is passed on, and that’s why having internationals is so crucial in our game,” he added.

The 39-year-old reserved special admiration for Babar Azam, even though the star batter has experienced a dip in form recently.

“You’ve got one of the best players that I’ve ever played against. I played against Babar in Pakistan, and it was almost impossible to get him out,” Finch said.
“I know he’s been a little more quiet in the last 18 months, but he’s a world-beater at his very best.”

Finch also shared light-hearted praise for wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, who is set to debut for the Melbourne Renegades this season.

“Mohammad Rizwan never shuts up behind the stumps, but he’s seriously talented,” he joked.

He noted that emerging Australian batter Jake Fraser-McGurk has already gained valuable insights from Rizwan in just a few days. “It’s incredible what it means, not just for the players involved, but for our players to learn as much as they can,” Finch said.

Several prominent Pakistani players are gearing up for BBL 15, which runs from December 14 to January 25, 2026, featuring 44 matches—most in prime-time evening slots.

This season will see the participation of Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Hassan Khan, Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan, and Hasan Ali across various franchises, further strengthening the league’s international appeal.