Shadab Khan signs BBL contract with Brisbane Heat

After impressive stints in the Pakistan Super League and the ongoing Caribbean Premier League, Pakistan's 18-year-old legspinner Shadab Khan has signed with the Brisbane Heat for the seventh season of the Big Bash League, starting December 19.

Shadab replaces West Indies legspinner Samuel Badree, who took 14 wickets in 13 matches for the Heat, at an economy rate of 6.42, between 2015 and 2017. Shadab joins his CPL team-mate from Trinbago Knight Riders - Brendon McCullum - as the franchise's second overseas player.

Shadab has had a highly productive year in which he has also won the Champions Trophy with Pakistan. He made his T20 international debut in the Caribbean in March, claiming 3 for 7 in four overs for a Man-of-the-Match performance. He followed it with 4 for 14 in the next match, and helped Pakistan defend 132. In all, Shadab picked up 10 wickets for 75 runs in the four-match series against West Indies and was named the Player of the Series too.

His variations, which include a deceptive googly, resurfaced in the CPL, where he grabbed 10 wickets in six matches at an economy rate of 6.08.

"He is one of the most dynamic young spinners in the game and will fit nicely into the style of play that we want to employ this summer," Heat coach Daniel Vettori said of Shadab."I know Brendon has been highly impressed with him as a team-mate in the CPL and we're looking forward to working with him when he arrives."

Shadab is Heat's 12th confirmed signing, which means six other spots are still open. The side will be without Chris Lynn for most of the season, after the batsman underwent surgery for a third shoulder injury in less than two years. Heat will open their campaign against Melbourne Stars on December 20.

Brisbane Heat squad: Joe Burns, Ben Cutting, Jason Floros, Sam Heazlett, Shadab Khan, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Lalor, Chris Lynn, Brendon McCullum, James Peirson, Alex Ross, Mitchell Swepson