Babar Azam-Rizwan big money effect: Why Australia's biggest stars could abandon BBL v SA20 in 2028
Babar Azam-Rizwan big money effect: Why Australia's biggest stars could abandon BBL v SA20 in 2028 originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.KEY TAKEAWAYS:Reports in Australia suggest that top players are becoming annoyed with the salary disparity between the BBL and other T20 tournaments.The arrivalof Pakistan stars like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan has contributed to increasing the BBL player wages, but SA20 could still pay more.Some Australiastars might choose SA20 above the BBL by 2028 if Cricket Australia fails to improve BBL salaries.Pat Cummins, David Warnerand Glenn Maxwell earn the most among the BBLs Australian players.MORE:IPL 2026: Full list of teams that qualified for the playoffs stageBBL faces growing SA20 threat after signing Babar Azam and RizwanIn the next two seasons, Australias biggest T20 league might see a massive exodus of talent due to increasing financial rivalry among the franchise leagues.According to reports in The Age, there is growing concern that the Big Bash League (BBL) may no longer be able to provide its cricketers financial security in comparison to the rival South African league, SA20, that keeps attracting top talent through shorter formats and increased remuneration.This was further emphasised by the recent addition of the two Pakistan stars Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan to the BBL.The 2025-26 period revealed that Babar pocketed about AUD 270,000-320,000, putting him among the most expensive foreign imports of the BBL. Mohammad Rizwan, also a Platinum-category cricketer, is estimated to have bagged approximately AUD 270,000.MORE:PAK squad for AUS ODI series 2026| AUS squad for PAK ODI tour 2026BBL raises salaries for Australian stars but still trails rival T20 leaguesIn terms of the salary packages for top Australian players, the BBL has made considerable progress in the past few years.However, the Aussies were still not the top-earning players last year. Overseas stars were the most expensive players in each team, earning more than local stars.Former CA chief executive Malcolm Speed pointed out this concern, saying:"Theres a premium for international players in the BBL they get about AUD 100,000 more than the top Australian players," Speed told SEN. "Get rid of that. The Australians deserve to be paid as much as everyone else."Pat Cummins had previously mentioned on the Business of Sport podcast that if salaries do not improve relative to the cricket world's finances, Australian players may start looking for alternatives - away from the national team and the BBL.For example, during the Hundred this season, weve got two Test matches against Bangladesh. All our guys that will play in that Test match have opted out of going to the Hundred auction, but thats not going to be the case forever.Some of our guys are saying no to half a million pounds for 20 days work to go and play those two Test matches against Bangladesh. I think it is a tension point. At the moment, our guys are so keen to play for Australia that theyre happy to forgo that, but I dont think we can accept that that is going to be the case forever."Why SA20 is becoming a major threat to the BBLWhile there is no doubt that the main strength of SA20 lies in its lucrative nature, convenience could easily be its second greatest selling point.With a compressed calendar, the league offers international cricketers a chance to earn big while saving a good part of their year. Additionally, with direct IPL franchise investment, the league has greater financial security than ever and an improved global image.MORE:CA offers Cummins mega contract to fend off franchise cricket's $10 million lureFrom the perspective of Australian cricketers, the league seems like an easy choice. While offering top-notch competition and increased exposure along with the promise of a generous pay packet, the league doesnt ask for the physically draining commitment of playing an entire BBL season.In contrast, the BBL continues to face scheduling issues, as Australias Test cricketers often miss long stretches of the season due to national commitments, affecting both the leagues star power and consistency.The Cricket News Opinion: 2028 could become a turning point for Australian cricketThe reason why there is an emphasis on 2028 is because the existing ICC Future Tours Programme (FTP), which ends in 2027, will have to be renegotiated by the cricketing boards within the new franchise-dominated environment.There is already apprehension about the space left for bilateral cricket in light of increasing T20 leagues and extended IPL windows. This may increase the appeal of T20 franchises, such as SA20, to Australian players.Australia wont be bereft of cricket before 2028, with the 2025-26 Ashes and the Test tour of India in 2027, as well as ICC tournaments such as 2026 T20 World Cup and the 2027 ODI World Cup.MORE:Will Australia players miss IPL 2026 playoffs for PAK vs AUS ODI series?What worries, therefore, isnt the absence of cricket before 2028 but what happens after 2028 when the present FTP agreement expires and franchise leagues prove more lucrative and less taxing than bilateral cricket.Additionally, the 2027-28 season will see Australia play lower-profile Test series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka.To keep up to date with all the latest cricket news and share your opinion on the biggest topics visit ourFacebook,InstagramandX (Twitter)pages.
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