Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Big Bash League franchise Melbourne Renegades has signed up Pakistan’s left arm quick Usman Khan Shinwari for the next edition of Australia’s popular T20 tournament. Shinwari, 24, will play the first seven matches of the 2018-19 season before Nottinghamshire’s Harry Gurney arrives to replace him, Renegades said in a press release. “I have watched the Big Bash with interest in recent years and I’ve been impressed with the quality of the competition,” Shinwari was quoted as saying. “I’m hoping I can bring something different to the team with my bowling and help the Renegades push for success.” Shinwari, who has represented Pakistan at both ODI and T20I levels, played his most recent T20 fixture against New Zealand on November 4, 2018. He also featured in last month’s T20I series against Australia.

Renegades Coach Andrew McDonald said the signings of Shinwari and Gurney balance out the playing list. “We wanted to add in a left arm seam option to provide some added variation to our attack and Harry and Usman will certainly provide that,” McDonald said. “They’ll complement our bowling unit really well and give us plenty of options throughout the innings.” The Big Bash’s eighth season will kick off on December 19 and run until February 17, 2019.

Renegades BBL squad: Aaron Finch (Capt.), Cameron Boyce, Dan Christian, Tom Cooper, Zak Evans, Marcus Harris, Mackenzie Harvey, Jon Holland, Usman Khan Shinwari, Tim Ludeman, Joe Mennie, Mohammad Nabi, Kane Richardson, Will Sutherland, Chris Tremain, Beau Webster, Cameron White, Jack Wildermuth.

Published in Daily Times, November 8^th 2018.