The Big Bash League might be an Australian product but overseas players have equally sizzled since its inception in 2011.
The BBL became a franchise competition, consisting of eight city-based franchises, replacing the earlier tournament, which had six state-based sides. As a result, it was able to attract more foreign players.
Similar to the previous years editions, the eight franchises have signed a handful of overseas players ahead of the 12th season.
Hence, spectators are in for another round of T20 cricket after an exhilarating edition of the T20 World Cup which was held in Australia. Like the World Cup, some lesser-known foreign players may also take the tournament by storm.
We take a look at six overseas players to watch out for in the 12th edition of BBL:
6. Fazalhaq Farooqi - Sydney Thunder
The Sydney Thunder have signed Afghanistan left-arm quick Fazalhaq Farooqi for the first nine matches as a replacement for England pacer David Willey, who pulled out of the tournament. Farooqi is one of the three Afghanistan players in the upcoming edition alongside Rashid Khan and Izharrulaq Naveed.
The 22-year-old impressed in Australian conditions during the recent T20 World Cup and is the leading wicket-taker for them in the shortest format this year, snaring 20 scalps in 16 outings at an economy rate of 6.77. Although he managed only three wickets in the World Cup, it came at an economy rate of 6.52.
A relatively unknown prospect, the 22-year-old could prove imposing as he joins an already talented bowling attack comprising Daniel Sams, Gurinder Sandhu, Nathan McAndrew, Ben Cutting, and Brendan Doggett.
