Pakistan star Yasir Shah has been signed by Big Bash League (BBL) side Brisbane Heat as an international replacement player ahead of the upcoming edition.
The 31-year-old will now travel to Brisbane to join up with fellow compatriot and leg-spinner Shadab Khan to train for the new season.
The Heat have already secured the services of Shadab and Brendon McCullum as their two designated overseas players but BBL rules allow for teams to register four foreign players on their books.
With the youngster Shadab impressing steadily ever since bursting onto the international stage, the probability of the 19-year-old being called up for Pakistan’s T20I squad during their tour of New Zealand in January next year remains high.
As such, the Heat can draft in Yasir instead of their two international players at any stage if they become unavailable.
“Having Yasir agree to join us as a replacement player means that we can plan for the series with some certainty,’’ Heat coach Dan Vettori said.
“Shadab Khan has been going from strength to strength for Pakistan since signing with us and there is the possibility he could be required for international duty during the BBL.
Shah will join fellow Pakistan spinner Shadab Khan at Brisbane.
“Having an experienced ‘like for like’ player such as Yasir to call upon means we can hopefully have continuity with our playing plans.
“He’s a very accomplished player in Test, one day and T20 formats, and having him around will also benefit the slow bowlers in our squad, especially someone like Mitch Swepson who is a young bowler rapidly gaining more experience transitioning between white and red ball cricket,” Vettori added.
Shah, the leader of Pakistan’s Test spin-ataack, has 165 Test wickets at 29.44 in just 28 matches and has captured 60 wickets in T20 cricket at an economy rate of just 6.71.
Brisbane Heat will begin their BBL campaign against the Melbourne Stars at the Gabba on December 20. Meanwhile, Pakistan will begin their tour of New Zealand with a five-match ODI series beginning on January 6.