The Melbourne Renegades have on Wednesday, December 4, announced the signing of Pakistani duo of Faheem Ashraf and Usman Shinwari for the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) 2019-20.
The defending champions Renegades have brought back Pakistan seamer Shinwari and given maiden BBL opportunity all-rounder Ashraf to complete the squad for the ninth edition of the BPL.
The left-arm speedster will be available for the Renegades for the first seven games of the upcoming season, while all-rounder Ashraf will play the opening eight matches for the defending champions.
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Shinwari and Ashraf will be replaced by England's Harry Gurney and Afghanistan's Mohammad Nabi respectively at Renegades for the remainder of the BBL09.
In his last seven-game stint with the Renegades, Shinwari took eight wickets at an economy rate of 6.14 with topping 151km/h with the ball throughout the tournament last season.
On the other hand, Ashraf was given nod on the back of his Pakistan Super League show, topping the charts in 2018 and finishing second in this year's tournament.
Andrew Lynch, Renegades’ List Manager, said on the latest signings: “We’re very pleased with the depth we’ll have at our disposal this season. Shinwari got a taste of the conditions last season and was impressive for us early in the tournament while Faheem Ashraf has performed well against quality opposition, so we’re excited to see what he’ll produce in Australian conditions.”
Meanwhile, Renegades’ head Coach Michael Klinger said: “I’m pleased with how we’re shaping up. Mohammad Nabi and Harry Gurney showed their class last season so we’re glad to have them on board for the second half of the home and away season and hopefully finals.”
Klinger signed off by saying, “After winning a title, the competition for spots in the XI is going to be fierce and we feel we’ve got plenty of options to cover the challenges that we’ll be confronted with throughout the season.”
Noteworthy, the defending champions Renegades will kick start their BBL title defense on December 19 against the Sydney Thunder.
Melbourne Renegades squad for BBL 09:
Aaron Finch (c), Faheem Ashraf (Pakistan), Cameron Boyce, Dan Christian, Tom Cooper, Zak Evans, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Harry Gurney (England), Sam Harper, Marcus Harris, Mackenzie Harvey, Jon Holland, Shaun Marsh, Joe Mennie, Mohammad Nabi (Afghanistan), Kane Richardson, Usman Shinwari (Pakistan), Will Sutherland, Beau Webster, Jack Wildermuth
(With Cricbuzz Inputs)
