Photo Credit: Melbourne Stars
The Melbourne Stars have added to their international roster with the signing of fast bowler Dilbar Hussain.
Hussain hails from Faisalabad in north eastern Pakistan and will be available for the full season.
He returns to the Stars through the club’s ongoing relationship with the Lahore Qalandars – a successful connection that led to Haris Rauf’s involvement with the Stars in BBL|09.
Hussain played for the Qalandars in the recent Pakistan Super League (PSL) alongside Stars batsman Ben Dunk.
The 27-year-old notably came to professional cricket late, having not played hard ball cricket at any level before 2018 when he entered regional selection trials in the Qalandars program.
Hussain made one appearance for the Stars last season, taking the wicket of AB de Villiers at the MCG and said he was pleased to return to the Melbourne Stars.
“I’m very happy to be coming back to the Melbourne Stars for the Big Bash. In the short time I was with the club last season I learnt so much. I’d like to thank David Hussey who was incredibly supportive and encouraged me to keep working on my craft.” Hussain said.
Hussain took 14 wickets during the recent PSL tournament including Alex Hales.
Stars Head Coach David Hussey said Hussain brings a unique benefit to the bowling lineup.
“I’m looking forward to working with Dilbar again this season and supporting his development together with our wider bowling group. His Stars debut was a whirlwind last year – it was his first senior T20 match and he effectively came down to Melbourne at very short notice and ended up bowling to AB de Villiers at the MCG,” Hussey said.
“He’s a genuine 140km/hr bowler with a good yorker and an incredible slower ball. With another year of experience and his time in the PSL, we’re keen to see what Dilbar brings to the table for us this year. The fact that not many players have faced him before can be a real advantage for us,” Hussey said.
Melbourne Stars General Manager Nick Cummins said the club was pleased with its international contingent.
“We’ve brought in players from a number of countries which truly represents the broad appeal that BBL and the Melbourne Stars has for players all over the world,” Cummins said.
“We’re looking forward to having Dilbar Hussain in green with us this season and we’re confident about how the squad has come together.”
