Usman Qadir signs with Perth Scorchers for BBL 8

[Abdullah719]

Pakistani leg spinner Usman Qadir, the son of legendary Test spinner Abdul Qadir, has signed with Perth Scorchers for the upcoming KFC BBL season.

The 26-year-old leggie, who is based in Sydney and played NSW Premier Cricket last season, joins Englishman David Willey as one of two overseas players at the Scorchers for BBL|08.

With regular spinner Ashton Agar one of several Perth players expected to miss parts of this season due to international duty, new Scorchers coach Adam Voges said he was keen to have another frontline spinner in his squad.

"We are looking at some cover for Ashton Agar," Voges said in the West Australian.

"We got found out in the semi-final last year when he was unavailable.

"We took the decision last year that our squad was strong enough not to need a second international, but with the success we have had, and the number of guys who will be playing for Australia during the Big Bash period, we will need some cover."

Qadir represented Pakistan at the 2010 Under-19 World Cup at the age of just 16, but has been unable to establish himself in the country of his birth.

Having made a permanent move to Australia following what he believed was unfair treatment by Pakistan selectors, the leg-spinner has expressed a desire to one day represent his adopted country.

"My goal is clear - I plan to represent Australia in the World Twenty20 in 2020 in Australia," he said earlier this year.

"I wish to use the same process of acquiring the 'Distinguished Talent Visa', which Fawad Ahmed also used to allow him to play for Australia. This visa allows any talented sportsman to gain permanent residency in Australia and this is the path I wish to follow as well."

Qadir's father played 67 Tests and 104 ODIs for Pakistan in a distinguished 16-year international career and took 368 wickets at the top level.

The signing of Qadir means the Scorchers have just one remaining spot on their roster to fill ahead of the summer.

Perth Scorchers

Current squad: Ashton Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Jason Behrendorff, Hilton Cartwright, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Michael Klinger, Mitchell Marsh (c), Shaun Marsh, Joel Paris, Usman Qadir (Pakistan), Jhye Richardson, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, Sam Whiteman, David Willey (England)

In: Usman Qadir (Pakistan)

Out: Mitchell Johnson (retired), Adam Voges (retired/coach)

Internationals signed: Two

Spots to fill: One

https://www.cricket.com.au/news/usma...gar/2018-09-10

[mak36]

Is this seriously the best they could find?

[aloo paratha]

Usman who?

[RedwoodOriginal]

I guess Australia are really desperate for spinners

[Oneking]

I am confused second paragraph “he is 26 years old” later on in article “in 2010 when represented Pakistan he was only 16”.
So he should be around 24 but my math is really bad. Can someone clarify his age for me thx

[Oneking]

I think Akmal brothers should move to Australia too.🤔🤭🤐🤫

[SensiblePakFan]

There are Pakistanis/Pakistani Origin players in The UAE,Hong Kong,Netherlands,Oman,Zimbabwe,Scotland,England,So uth Africa,and Australian team. And we trained the Afghans. Its a positive that we have so much talent that can spread the word of our country in a positive way, unlike the media.

[Hasan123]

Well he has been desperate for a chance . Let's see what he can do.

[Arham_PakFan]

Good opportunity for him.

[Executioner]

David Willey and Usman Qadir as key foreign players

Lolwut?

[ARK Rafay]

His stats aren't excellent. But he also hasn't played that much games to be fully judged.

I guess it is a fantastic opportunity for him. We'll also know if his stats represents the skill he poses or not.

[j_kazmi]

He won’t get many games. But when he does get a game, he’ll get carted round the park.

His stats were mediocre at best and he and his dad were complaining about lack of chances.

[Eagle_Eye]

Good luck to him

[hitthestump]

Based on a recent picture he doesn't look like much of an athlete. Has very meagre stats too. Australia must be desperate for spinners.

[Hedz]

Surely the BBL can attract bigger names? What’s perhaps more surprising is that the Lahore Qalandars have announced that they will select him for their squad for PSL 4