The Melbourne Renegades have boosted their BBL roster with the signings of Pakistan internationals Usman Shinwari and Faheem Ashraf.
The returning Shinwari took eight wickets in his seven-game stint with the Renegades last season at an economy rate of 6.14. The left-arm speedster also topped 151km/h with the ball throughout the tournament.
New signing Ashraf is a right-arm fast bowler and middle order batsman who was the second highest wicket taker in this year’s Pakistan Super League after topping the list in 2018. He’ll play the opening eight matches of the tournament before he is replaced by Afghanistan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi.
Shinwari will play the opening five matches of the BBL before English fast bowler and Renegades title winner Harry Gurney replaces him for the rest of the tournament.
Renegades List Manager Andrew Lynch said the signings complete a well-rounded squad.
“We’re very pleased with the depth we’ll have at our disposal this season,” he said.
“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.”
Renegades BBL Head Coach Michael Klinger said he was pleased with the outcome.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
The Renegades BBL title defence begins on December 19 against the Sydney Thunder at GMHBA Stadium.
BBL|09 Squad
Aaron Finch (captain)
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
