ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 23: Faf du Plessis of South Africa speaks during a press conference before a South Africa training session at Adelaide Oval on November 23, 2016 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
The Big Bash League might be an Australian product but overseas players have equally sizzled since its inception in 2011.
The BBL became a franchise competition, consisting of eight city-based franchises, replacing the earlier tournament, which had six state-based sides. As a result, it was able to attract more foreign players.
Similar to the previous years editions, the eight franchises have signed a handful of overseas players ahead of the 12th season.
Hence, spectators are in for another round of T20 cricket after an exhilarating edition of the T20 World Cup which was held in Australia. Like the World Cup, some lesser-known foreign players may also take the tournament by storm.
We take a look at six overseas players to watch out for in the 12th edition of BBL:
The Sydney Thunder have signed Afghanistan left-arm quick Fazalhaq Farooqi for the first nine matches as a replacement for England pacer David Willey, who pulled out of the tournament. Farooqi is one of the three Afghanistan players in the upcoming edition alongside Rashid Khan and Izharrulaq Naveed.
The 22-year-old impressed in Australian conditions during the recent T20 World Cup and is the leading wicket-taker for them in the shortest format this year, snaring 20 scalps in 16 outings at an economy rate of 6.77. Although he managed only three wickets in the World Cup, it came at an economy rate of 6.52.
A relatively unknown prospect, the 22-year-old could prove imposing as he joins an already talented bowling attack comprising Daniel Sams, Gurinder Sandhu, Nathan McAndrew, Ben Cutting, and Brendan Doggett.
Former Kiwi all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme retired from international cricket in August this year, citing a truckload of injuries.
However, before quitting international cricket, the Zimbabwe-born cricketer had joined the Adelaide Strikers, with coach Jason Gillespie stating he was 'high in our thinking'.
Set for his maiden BBL stint, De Grandhomme is a three-dimensional cricketer, having proved his credentials for New Zealand.
The 36-year-old is often known for his metronomic bowling and dishing out lusty blows with the bat, evident by a healthy T20 strike rate of 157.92. Hence, he could be a bumper addition for the Strikers.
New Zealand opener Martin Guptill might no longer be a centrally-contracted cricketer; however, he is one of the most gun T20 openers and a free-flowing batter.
Guptill, who has previously plied his trade for the Sydney Thunder years ago, has replaced English all-rounder Liam Livingstone, who pulled out due to international commitments.
The Kiwi opening batter is New Zealand's leading run-getter in T20 internationals and the most capped player for them.
He also boasts magnificent T20 numbers, striking at 130.80 in 303 T20s and having scored 8569 runs. It will be intriguing to see him join hands with Australia's T20 skipper Aaron Finch at the top for the Renegades.
Yet another non-contracted New Zealand star, Trent Boult is one of the most incisive new-ball bowlers today, regardless of the format.
The left-arm swing bowler sacrificed his central contract to make himself available for T20 leagues worldwide and is set for his maiden stint in the competition.
Not only does Boult have an exceptional T20 record, but he should also enjoy bowling at the MCG which offers plenty for swing bowlers. The 33-year-old will join the likes of Nathan Coulter-Nile, Luke Wood, Brody Couch, and Cameron McClure as the Stars chase their second title.
English Test specialist Zak Crawley was one of the most interesting signings of the forthcoming BBL edition.
The Kent batter is yet to play a T20 international and has limited T20 experience with even modest T20 numbers. However, Crawley's strike rate of 145.08 from 47 T20s stands out.
It is also hard to deny that the 21-year-old is a pleasing-to-the-eye batter and can be unstoppable once he gets going. The right-handed batter has shown a glimpse of the same in the recently-concluded Test match in Rawalpindi. No doubt all eyes will be on how destructive he can be for the Hurricanes.
Former South African captain Faf du Plessis might be out of Proteas' T20 side, but he is one of the most sought-after T20 batters today. A classy right-handed batter with astute leadership skills, the 38-year-old has immense potential more than his T20 numbers suggest.
The Perth Scorchers could not have picked a better replacement for Laurie Evans, whose deal was terminated after his positive anti-doping test in early November.
While the South African's availability could be restricted to only seven games, his experience will be invaluable to a young Scorchers side as they look for their fifth title.