The Sydney Sixers have recruited star Pakistan legspinner Shadad Khan for the remainder of the Big Bash League (BBL) 2021-22 season. Shadab’s inclusion will be a huge boost for the reigning champions, who have been hit hard by injuries despite being second in the rankings.
Shadab joins the Sixers as an overseas player, after off-spinner Ben Manenti’s season-ending neck stress fracture and seasoned tweaker Steve O’Keefe’s short-term calf ailment.
Shadab, 23, made his debut for Pakistan in all three forms while still a teenager, and has since played 64 T20I matches, taking 73 wickets at an economy rate of 7.11. He also has a strike rate of 136.81 and an average of 18.33 with the bat.
Shadab participated in all six matches for Pakistan in the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, taking nine wickets, including 4/26 and the scalps of Dave Warner, Mitch Marsh, Steve Smith, and Glenn Maxwell in their five-wicket loss to Australia.
Shadab bowled two wickets in each of his three matches for the Brisbane Heat during the BBL|07 season. After Haris Rauf, Syed Faridoun, Ahmad Daniyal, and Muhammad Husnain, Shadab is the fifth Pakistani to participate in the BBL 2021-22.
Greg Shipperd, the Sixers’ head coach, was ecstatic about the idea of working with Shadab.
“Shadab joins us as cover for the bowlers we have lost and comes together with two other young and exciting spinners in Lloyd Pope and Todd Murphy,” Shipperd said.
“All three young men are still learning their craft but have shown at various levels that they can be world-class.
“We welcome Shadab’s skills in all three facets of the game and can’t wait to see him get an opportunity in coming matches.”
On Boxing Day, the Sixers face the Sydney Thunder at Sydney Showground Stadium in the Sydney Smash, followed by the Brisbane Heat on December 29 at the SCG. They then go on a five-game road tour, which includes two key games in Coffs Harbour on January 1 and 9.
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