Australian former cricketer Aaron Finch has lifted the lid on Mohammad Rizwan's relentless chatter behind the stumps, praising the Pakistan wicketkeeper as a player who brings far more than just talent to the Big Bash League (BBL). 

 

Speaking on a recent podcast, Finch didn't mince words about Rizwan's vocal presence on the field. "Mohammad Rizwan never shuts up behind the stumps, but seriously talented," Finch said with evident admiration.

 

The former Australian captain revealed that young gun Jake Fraser-McGurk has already absorbed valuable lessons from the Pakistani star despite spending just a few days with him.

 

"I was talking to Jake Fraser-McGurk earlier at a shoot that we're doing together, and I know we're going to chat to him soon, but he was talking about what he's learned off Rizwan already in the couple of days that he's been here," Finch explained.

 

Rizwan is currently in Australia for the BBL. Finch emphasized that the real value lies in the knowledge these international stars pass on to Australia's emerging players.

 

"It's incredible what it means, not for the players to be involved themselves, but for our players to learn as much as they can," Finch added.

 

Finch reserved praise for the caliber of Pakistani players joining the competition this season.

 

"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 said.

 

"I think that that is so important that that knowledge is passed on and that's why having internationals is so crucial in our game," Finch stressed.

Among the Pakistani contingent, Babar Azam's arrival at the Sydney Thunder generated significant excitement.

 

Finch reflected on his own battles against the former Pakistan captain, describing him as nearly impossible to dismiss.

 

"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 recalled. "I know he's been a little bit more quiet in the last 18 months, but he's a world-beater at his very best."

 

Babar Azam stands as the headline name for Pakistan at this BBL. Sydney Thunder signed him ahead of the season.

 

Babar has expressed excitement about playing in Australia and said he looks forward to learning from and playing alongside great players at the Thunder.

 

In total, seven Pakistani players feature in this year's BBL season. Alongside Rizwan and Babar are Shaheen Shah Afridi (Brisbane Heat), Haris Rauf (Melbourne Stars), Shadab Khan (Sydney Thunder), Hasan Ali (Adelaide Strikers), and Usama Mir (Melbourne Renegades).