The Big Bash League (BBL) conducted its first-ever draft for overseas players in a revamped format ahead of the tournament's 12th edition.

To the surprise of many, several big T20 stars like Faf du Plessis, Andre Russell, and Kieron Pollard did not find any suitors among the eight franchises.

A total of 12 players were included in the marquee list in the $340,000 bracket, out of which only seven players were picked.

England's Liam Livingstone was the first pick of the inaugural draft by the Melbourne Renegades.

The Melbourne Stars' attempt at Rashid Khan was blocked by the Adelaide Strikers, who elected to retain the young leg-spinner.

Only two franchises opted to use the retention pick option during the draft. Apart from the Strikers, defending champions Perth Scorchers chose to retain Laurie Evans.

Meanwhile, three Pakistan players were picked in the draft, all of them by the Hobart Hurricanes. Shadab Khan was included in the top bracket and was the Matthew Wade-led side's first pick in the draft. The leg-spinner has represented the Brisbane Heat and Sydney Sixers in the past.

Speaking about the decision to go for Shadab Khan as their first pick in the BBL draft, Ricky Ponting said:

"He’s a high class international leg-spinner, very handy with the bat as well, he’s a gun in the field, so we think we’re bringing in a three dimensional cricketer into our sport."

With the last pick in three of the four rounds of the inaugural BBL draft, the Hurricanes picked Asif Ali and Faheen Ashraf off their remaining draft picks.