Big Bash League (BBL) team Brisbane Heat has confirmed the young Afghanistan off-spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s availability for the upcoming season. Meanwhile, another young Afghanistan left-arm chinaman Zahir Khan has also signed for the same team.
The BBL 2012/13 champions Brisbane Heat have sorted out their major spin bowling options for the upcoming season. Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who is serving this team from 2018/19 season, will continue his service for the BBL 2019/20. While the previous season was his first BBL season, he took 12 wickets in 12 matches. The 18-year-old Afghanistan off-spinner is now a familiar face in the global T20 leagues. In IPL, he serves for Kings XI Punjab (KXIP).
Meanwhile, the 20-year-old left-arm chinaman Zahir Khan is also slowly becoming a familiar face in the global T20 leagues. However, he will experience the BBL for the first in the upcoming season as he will also play for Brisbane Heat.
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I really wanted to return – Mujeeb Ur Rahman after confirming his stay
Mujeeb Ur Rahman has already played 49 international matches (only Test, 37 ODIs and 11 T20Is). The off-spinner is a very consistent performer as he has taken 74 international wickets (only Test wicket, 58 ODI wickets and 15 T20I wickets).
Mujeeb claimed that he really wanted to continue his BBL experience for Brisbane Heat.
The off-spinner said accoring to Brisbane Heat’s official website, “I had so much fun playing at Brisbane Heat in my first year that I really wanted to return when the opportunity came. They are great guys and I hope we can push for the finals this season.”
I am looking forward to this challenge so much – Zahir Khan
Zahir Khan has played only Test and only ODI for Afghanistan till the date. In his recent debutant Test match against the hosts Bangladesh, the left-arm chinaman picked up a total of three wickets. Earlier, he made his ODI debut on 10th March 2019 against Ireland at Dehradun and managed to take two wickets.
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Zahir is excited about his maiden BBL season and he is ready to play with his good friend Mujeeb.
The left-arm chinaman said, “This is a very exciting thing for me, especially to be joining the team where my good friend Mujeeb played last year. He told me great things about Brisbane Heat, so I am looking forward to this challenge so much.”
Darren Lehmann has been impressed with the growth of Afghanistan cricket
The Brisbane Heat head coach Darren Lehmann praised the rise of Afghanistan cricket. He also lauded the role of BBL for the development of Afghan cricketers.
Lehmann said, “I think the arrival of Afghanistan in international cricket has been one of the best things to happen to the game in recent years, and it is a real joy to see players like Mujeeb and Zahir grow in stature for their country and show their skills around the world.
“It’s great that the BBL has played a role in helping with that development with the likes of Mujeeb and now Zahir, joining Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Qais Ahmad in getting starts here.”
BBL 2019/20 will run from 17trh December 2019 to 8th February 2020.