Top 5 players to watch out for in BBL 2017-18

Twenty20 leagues all over the world are known for the stars who play for the different teams and that is a genuine attraction for viewers all over the world.

However, at the same time, T20 leagues are also the breeding grounds for up and coming cricketers from all over the world. It is one of the biggest attractions of the T20 leagues and over the years, the Big Bash League in Australia has seen plenty of outstanding players turning out for the different teams. Every year there are certain players for whom the viewers watch out for ahead of the tournament and the 2017-18 season is no different.

The reasons might range from the excitement to watch a superb talent, while on the other hand, people might also want to see how established stars perform, with one eye on their international careers. So, here are the 5 players to watch out for in 2017-18 version of the BBL.

5 Glenn Maxwell- Melbourne Stars

There is absolutely no doubt that Glenn Maxwell is one of the most famous and well-regarded cricketers in the world, due to his distinct style of batting. It has made him one of the most dangerous batsmen in cricket, but at the same time his refusal to tame his style has also come in for criticism and earlier this year, he was actually dropped from the Australian one-day side during their tour of India for playing irresponsible shots.

However, Maxwell has scored plenty of runs in Australian domestic cricket and would like to stamp his authority on the BBL when he turns out for the Melbourne Stars in 2017-18. In fact, it has been stated that he was unlucky to miss out on the Ashes squad.

Maxwell is one player who is definitely one to watch out for this season, since one could see a player who might be far more dangerous now that he has curbed some of his instincts.

4 Jofra Archer- Hobart Hurricanes

Jofra Archer

The Barbados born fast bowler, who plays in the second division of the English Country Championships for Sussex, is one to keep an eye on in this year's BBL. As everyone knows, pace is one of the most lethal weapons that any fast bowler can have and Jofra Archer has that in abundance.

He can trouble the best batsmen in the business with his pace, and his numbers back it up. He has taken in excess of 50 wickets in only 20 games and Archer's average of 26 is hugely impressive. In addition, he is a pretty good batsman as well, and his average of 38 in Tier 2 of the County Championships is a perfect illustration of the sort of asset he could be for the Hobart Hurricanes in this year's BBL.

When he was signed as a replacement for Tom Curran, there must have been raised eyebrows in several quarters and it was perfectly understandable since he hasn't played many high profile games. However, he could prove to be one of the stars of the BBL in 2017-18.

3 Shadab Khan-Brisbane Heat

Shadab Khan

Limited over cricket has recently seen a trend towards teams relying more on wrist spinners and one of the players, who has been a revelation ever since he first burst on to the scene is Pakistan's 19-year-old leg-spinner, Shadab Khan.

Ahead of the 2017-18 season of the BBL, Shadab Khan signed for the Brisbane Heat and there is no doubt that he is going to be a source of excitement for the fans of the tournament. He is a regular in the Pakistan side and in addition to that, Khan has tasted success in both the Caribbean Premier League and the Pakistan Super League.

He would also be a perfect replacement for the Heat's talismanic spinner Samuel Badree. In this year's CPL, he performed brilliantly and picked up 10 wickets. However, what makes him such an asset for a T20 side is the range of variations that he brings to the table and his economy rate of 6.08 in last year's CPL is ample proof that Shadab Khan is perhaps one of the best additions to the BBL in recent years.

2 Chris Lynn- Brisbane Heat

Chris Lynn

He is comfortably among the top 5 big hitters in cricket at the moment and he is the Brisbane Heat's best batsman by some distance. Last season he was in imperious form and made a mockery of many bowlers in the BBL.

However, 2017 has not been kind to him and injuries have played a part in inhibiting him from playing regularly. When in full flow, there can be no better power hitter in world cricket and the monstrous sixes that he can hit can get any crowd to their feet. Last year, he opened the innings for the Heat and scored at a rate of 177.59 as he plundered 26 sixes in addition to 17 boundaries.

That being said, he is coming back from an injury now and it remains to be seen if he is back to is best. A fully fit Lynn could light up the tournament. BBL fans, Australian selectors and fans of the Kolkata Knight Riders will also be watching the proceedings with great interest.

1 Rashid Khan- Adelaide Strikers

Rashid Khan

Afghanistan has been one of world cricket's greatest underdog stories in recent years, and the player who has captured the imagination of cricket fans all across the world is their 19-year-old leg-spin magician Rashid Khan.

After his stellar stints in the CPL and the IPL, the young Afghan signed for the Adelaide Strikers earlier this year and is all set to bring his unique skills to the BBL. Rashid Khan is currently one of the biggest match-turning players in T20 cricket and has the numbers to back it up.

He is actually more dangerous when his team are defending a score. Khan averages 13.49 when bowling second, as opposed to 17.81 when bowling first. However, his economy rates are even more impressive- 5.56 versus 6.08.

Nothing much in it maybe, but T20 is a game of the finest of margins and they all count. If the Adelaide Strikers do actually go far in the BBL this season, then a lot of it will have to do with the performance of their Afghan import.