Brisbane add second Pakistani spinner for Big Bash

THE Heat have secured a major Big Bash coup after netting Pakistan leg- spinner Yasir Shah.

Shah has signed with Brisbane as an international replacement player for the upcoming BBL.

Shah was the second quickest bowler in Test history to take 150 wickets and was once ranked the No. 1 bowler in the world.

The 31- year- old will travel to Brisbane to train with the Heat alongside fellow Pakistan spinner Shadab Khan.

The Heat decided to sign Shah as a replacement player in case the improving Khan is elevated to Pakistan’s T20 squad and is unavailable for selection.

Under BBL rules, teams are only allowed to field two international players, but can have four on their books, and the Heat already have Kiwi gun Brendon McCullum.

If McCullum or Khan are unavailable at any stage, Shah could be drafted into the team.

“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.

“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.”

The Heat begin their Big Bash campaign against the Melbourne Stars at the Gabba on December 20.