Renegades Secure Rizwan: Rosengarten Elated

Melbourne: Melbourne Renegades’ General Manager, James Rosengarten, has lauded the acquisition of Pakistani wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan as a major achievement for the team. This follows Rizwan’s selection in the Platinum category during the Big Bash League (BBL) 15 draft.

During a recent podcast, Rosengarten conveyed his enthusiasm about successfully enlisting Rizwan with the third overall pick.

Statements from Rosengarten

“Acquiring a player of Mohammad Rizwan’s quality at Pick 3 represents a significant triumph for us,” stated Rosengarten.

Key Attributes Highlighted
  • Reliability
  • Experience
  • Calm Presence: Both on and off the field

He further noted that Rizwan has successfully guided teams and will integrate effectively into the squad being assembled.

He also commended the wicketkeeper-batsman’s adaptability and impact when batting at the top of the order.

“Rizwan’s worth is amplified by his proficiency in stabilizing an innings while maintaining a healthy scoring rate. Paired with players like Jake Fraser-McGurk, Josh Brown, and Tim Seifert, we anticipate that our top order will emerge as one of the most dynamic in the tournament,” he commented.

“Rizwan’s world-class wicket-keeping skills also provide us with added flexibility behind the stumps, especially since we have Tim as well. Both players will inject considerable energy into the game,” he concluded.

Rizwan’s Response

The 33-year-old Rizwan expressed his excitement about joining the Renegades and committed to delivering his best performance in the upcoming season.

“It’s a great honor to become a part of the Melbourne Renegades family,” Rizwan stated in a video message released .

“I admire their passionate approach to the game, and I am looking forward to meeting the fans and performing to the best of my abilities while donning the No. 16 jersey. Thank you.”

BBL Draft Overview

The highly anticipated BBL 15 player draft took place earlier on Thursday in Melbourne, with left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi, aged 25, being selected as the top overseas pick.

Among the 74 registered Pakistani players, six of the eight BBL franchises expressed interest in enlisting seven prominent national team players.

Right-arm fast bowler Haris Rauf has been retained by the Melbourne Stars. Rauf, currently playing for the San Francisco Unicorns in Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025, has been a vital asset for the Stars since 2019.

Babar Azam, the former captain, was pre-signed by the Sydney Sixers prior to the draft and is poised to make his BBL debut this season.

Additionally, Hassan Khan, a former Pakistan U19 cricketer, was chosen by the Melbourne Renegades in the Gold category, while Hasan Ali, a right-arm pacer, was drafted by the Adelaide Strikers.

This upcoming season will mark Hasan’s first BBL appearance, having previously participated in leagues such as the Lanka Premier League (LPL), Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), and Caribbean Premier League (CPL).