Photo Credit: Sydney Sixers
Sixers’ signing Shadab Khan has had a less than ideal re-introduction to the Big Bash.
After 4 years away from the competition, the Pakistan white-ball vice-captain has been brought into the Sixers’ squad to bolster the club’s spinning socks following injuries to Steve O’Keefe and Ben Manenti.
As has been the case for much of the past two years, COVID has meant his addition to the team has been anything but normal.
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Under the BBL’s biosecurity protocols Shadab is unable to join his teammates until he has been in Australia for a week.
The leg spinner has passed several PCR tests and is doing rapid testing daily to ensure his health status is monitored to the minute.
Sydney’s weather thwarted his chance to train alone at the SCG ahead of the Sixers’ big clash against the Brisbane Heat where Shadab will have to use a separate dressing room to his teammates, sit away from the players’ bench and not be a part of any on field celebrations.
As a T20 specialist who has played in leagues across the world, Shadab is used to doing whatever it takes during the pandemic to get on the field and join his new teammates.
“It is pretty strange but nowadays the whole world has strange things happening,” said Shadab.
“I understand, everywhere is the same and hopefully I will join the team soon.”
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The 23-year-old joins the Sixers fresh off Pakistan’s T20 series against the West Indies earlier this month.
His last stint in the Big Bash was playing for the Brisbane Heat in BBL|07.
While it has been a few years since, he is very familiar with some of the members of the Brisbane squad that he will come up against when he debuts for the Sixers.
“I’ve played against guys like Chris Lynn, Ben Duckett and Mujeeb Ur Rahman in international cricket,” said Shadab.
“They have a very good team, and they play very good cricket.
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“The Sixers are playing very good cricket as well – hopefully it is a good game.”
Sixers fans might be familiar with Shadab after the recent T20 World Cup where he took 4-26 against Australia in the Semi Final.
He will be one to watch on the spin-friendly wicket at the Sydney Cricket Ground after claiming the wickets of David Warner, Steve Smith, Mitch Marsh and Glenn Maxwell.
“It was a great spell, unfortunately we didn’t win,” said Shadab.
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“I know because of that match I come with a good reputation and hopefully I will try to do the same here for the Sixers.”
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