The Big Bash League (BBL) is the premier domestic Twenty20 cricket competition in Australia. The BBL has become one of the most popular T20 leagues globally with high-profile players, big salaries, and exciting action.
As the 15th edition of the BBL will kick off on December 14, 2025, until January 25, 2026, Cricket Australia has revealed the BBL players’ salaries for the 2025-26 season. This year, the league introduced a new rule allowing teams to have three marquee international players, making the competition even more star-studded.
Top 10 Expensive Players of Big Bash League: BBL Highest Paid Players
Note: BBL player salaries are based on publicly available draft categories and widely reported media estimates, since exact individual contracts are not officially disclosed.
| Rank | Player | Team | Salary (AUD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Babar Azam | Sydney Sixers | $420,000 |
| 2 | Shaheen Afridi | Brisbane Heat | $270,000 |
| 3 | Mohammad Rizwan | Melbourne Renegades | $270,000 |
| 4 | Sam Curran | Sydney Sixers | $270,000 |
| 5 | Chris Jordan | Hobart Hurricanes | $270,000 |
| 6 | Haris Rauf | Melbourne Stars | $270,000 |
| 7 | Lockie Ferguson | Sydney Thunder | $270,000 |
| 8 | Finn Allen | Perth Scorchers | $270,000 |
| 9 | Colin Munro | Brisbane Heat | $270,000 |
| 10 | Jamie Overton | Adelaide Strikers | $270,000 |
According to a recent report by the Sydney Morning Herald, player salaries in the upcoming 2025-26 season will be tiered into four levels based on performance and experience.
| Tier | Salary (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Platinum | $420,000 (older reports) but for many seasons in practice around $340,000 or $300k+ depending on availability |
| Platinum Draft Pick (2024–2025) | $270,000 (if not available for full season) |
| Gold | ~$200,000 |
| Silver | ~$120,000 |
| Bronze | ~$70,000 |
Let’s take a look at the top 10 highest-paid players in the Big Bash League this season:
1. Babar Azam
Approx Salary (2025): AUD 270,000 to 320,000
Team: Sydney Sixers
Babar Azam’s arrival in the Big Bash League was one of the biggest stories of the season. His popularity crosses every cricket-playing nation, and he is widely regarded as one of the top T20 batters in the world. His technique, timing and consistency make him extremely valuable in franchise cricket.
Franchises know that Babar guarantees stability at the top order. His presence not only strengthens the batting lineup but also boosts viewership. Because of his high availability for the season and massive fanbase, Babar is among the highest paid overseas stars.
His contract reportedly touches around AUD 300,000, which places him at the top of the BBL salary list.
2. Shaheen Shah Afridi
Approx Salary (2025): AUD 270,000
Team: Melbourne Stars
Shaheen Shah Afridi is one of the most dangerous left arm fast bowlers in the world today. His ability to swing the new ball, bowl deadly yorkers and trouble even the best batters has made him a premium signing in T20 leagues.
BBL franchises highly value world class fast bowlers. Shaheen’s reputation alone increases ticket sales because fans love watching him bowl. The Melbourne Stars took no risk in paying him the maximum Platinum fee.
Shaheen’s availability for the full tournament also increases his total payout.
3. Mohammad Rizwan
Approx Salary (2025): AUD 270,000
Team: Adelaide Strikers
Mohammad Rizwan has established himself as one of the most consistent T20 wicketkeeper batters. His calm presence, excellent strike rotation and high finishing ability make him a premium T20 asset.
He is also a reliable wicketkeeper which saves a franchise from spending extra for another specialist. Rizwan’s strong fitness, controlled aggression and superb chasing ability led to a huge paycheck in the draft.
His salary places him among the top earners in the 2025 season.
4. Sam Curran
Approx Salary (2025): AUD 270,000
Team: Hobart Hurricanes
Sam Curran is a modern T20 superstar. He contributes with bat, ball and unbelievable energy on the field. His ability to swing the ball early, bowl at death and hit crucial runs makes him one of the most complete all rounders.
Franchises love all rounders like Sam because they occupy one spot while performing multiple roles. His strong performances in IPL and international cricket increase his value further.
Curran’s BBL deal puts him in the highest earning category for the season.
5. Chris Jordan
Approx Salary (2025): AUD 270,000
Team: Perth Scorchers
Chris Jordan is a global T20 specialist known for his death overs bowling and athletic fielding. Even though he is not always consistent with the ball, his experience and ability to handle pressure moments make him very valuable.
Jordan has played in almost every major T20 league which increases his brand value. His death bowling is considered a premium skill in the BBL, which explains why he earns a top level salary.
6. Haris Rauf
Approx Salary (2025): AUD 270,000
Team: Melbourne Stars
Haris Rauf is another exceptionally fast bowler who is extremely popular among BBL fans. He first gained fame through his performances in the Big Bash itself, and since then he has been a fan favourite.
His raw pace, sharp bouncers and attacking mindset make him a must-have for franchises looking for an aggressive bowling lineup. With worldwide T20 success, Haris easily commands the maximum category salary.
7. Lockie Ferguson
Approx Salary (2025): AUD 270,000
Team: Brisbane Heat
Lockie Ferguson is pure pace. One of the quickest bowlers in world cricket, Lockie consistently clocks above 150 km/h. His ability to deliver intimidating short balls and accurate yorkers makes him a premium pick in every T20 league.
Franchises pay high for match-winning pacers. Lockie brings fear factor, experience and reliability in crunch overs. His salary reflects his high demand.
8. Finn Allen
Approx Salary (2025): AUD 270,000
Team: Hobart Hurricanes
Finn Allen is one of the most explosive young openers in T20 cricket. He has the ability to change a game within a few overs. His attacking style, clean hitting and fearless approach make him a crowd favourite.
Teams are always willing to pay high for power hitters who can take advantage of powerplay overs. Finn Allen fits perfectly into that role, which is why he earned a Platinum-level contract.
9. Colin Munro
Approx Salary (2025): AUD 270,000
Team: Brisbane Heat
Colin Munro is an experienced T20 hitter with years of franchise cricket success. He is known for his aggressive middle-order batting and his ability to play spin and pace with equal ease.
Munro’s experience, consistent strike rate and match-winning ability make him a valuable BBL signing. His salary remains at the top bracket due to his long T20 resume.
10. Jamie Overton
Approx Salary (2025): AUD 270,000
Team: Sydney Thunder
Jamie Overton is quickly becoming a high-value T20 all rounder. His tall build, fast bowling and hard-hitting lower order play make him a rare asset.
Overton’s ability to contribute in two departments makes him perfect for franchise cricket. His contract places him among the highest earning players of the 2025 season.
The Rise of BBL Salaries Over the Years
BBL salaries have increased because of several reasons. The league is expanding commercially, getting more viewership and attracting global attention. Here are the main factors behind the rise.
1. Bigger Revenue Pool
Every year, BBL broadcasts reach more countries. With increased sponsorship and TV rights, the salary purse naturally increased.
2. Growing Competition With Other Leagues
Competing with IPL, PSL, SA20 and other leagues forced BBL to raise its pay scale to attract similar quality players.
3. Enhanced Player Agreement
Cricket Australia revised their payment structure which allowed elite players to earn significantly more.
4. Strong Fan Base
BBL matches attract packed stadiums. This encourages teams to invest heavily in star players.
5. Overseas Stars Bring More Audience
Players like Babar, Shaheen and Curran attract huge numbers of viewers from different countries which increases the league’s value.
List of Most Expensive Player in ‘Each team’ of BBL
Here is the individual list of each teams that contains details about the highest-paid player team-wise:
| BBL Team | Most Expensive Player #1 | Most Expensive Player #2 | Most Expensive Player #3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney Sixers | Babar Azam | Sam Curran | Steve Smith |
| Brisbane Heat | Shaheen Shah Afridi | Colin Munro | Marnus Labuschagne |
| Hobart Hurricanes | Chris Jordan | Ben McDermott | Nathan Ellis |
| Melbourne Stars | Haris Rauf | Glenn Maxwell | Tom Curran |
| Perth Scorchers | Finn Allen | Jhye Richardson | Andrew Tye |
| Adelaide Strikers | Jamie Overton | Rashid Khan (if available) | Matt Short |
| Sydney Thunder | Lockie Ferguson | David Warner | Ravi Ashwin |
| Melbourne Renegades | Tim Seifert | Nic Maddinson | Adam Zampa |
How is the BBL salary determined for players?
Player salaries in BBL are determined by a tiered contract system. Higher tiers (e.g. “Platinum”) get larger base salaries. Final payout may vary based on match availability and other bonuses.
Does “highest-paid” mean these players earned more than others in total income?
Not necessarily. “Highest-paid” here refers to base contract value. Actual earnings might differ based on match fees, performance bonuses, and how many games the player played.
Do all top-paid players play every match in a season?
No. A top contract doesn’t guarantee full availability. Players might miss matches due to injury, national duty, or other reasons, which can affect their final earnings.
Where can I find the full list of BBL player salaries for 2025 (not just top 10)?
Official BBL announcements, team releases, and cricket-finance coverage publish full contract lists each season. Use them if you want data beyond the top-earners.
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