Zahir Khan joins Melbourne Renegades for BBL 11

The 22-year-old Afghanistan spinner has previously represented Brisbane Heat and Melbourne Stars, taking 14 wickets in 16 appearances

Melbourne Renegades have signed Zahir Khan for the 2021-22 Big Bash League.

The 22-year-old Afghanistan spinner joins the Renegades from cross-city rivals Melbourne Stars, with whom he spent BBL10. He has also previously represented Brisbane Heat and has taken 14 wickets in 16 career BBL appearances to date.

Already a much-travelled T20 bowler, Khan has featured in the T20 Blast, Pakistan Super League, Caribbean Premier League and Bangladesh Premier League, and has taken 74 wickets in 66 career T20 appearances.

He is yet to make his T20I debut for Afghanistan but has played three Test matches and one ODI for the national side.

^{Zahir Khan represented Brisbane Heat in 2019/20, taking eight wickets}

"I love the Big Bash so much and was very pleased to sign up for my third season in this great tournament," Zahir said. "I am happy the Renegades have given this opportunity to me to show what I can do.”

Head coach, David Saker, added: "We’re excited to welcome Zahir Khan to our Renegades program. He has shown some promising signs in the Big Bash over the last two years. He’s a skilful bowler, has plenty of variations and is a young player who will only continue to improve.

"Zahir plays with a lot of energy, and we believe he will add a point of difference to our bowling attack."

Khan is the final piece of the puzzle for Renegades who have now completed their squad for BBL11. He is one of four overseas signings for the club, alongside Mohammad Nabi, Reece Topley and Unmukt Chand, while Victoria spinner Jon Holland has left the club.

Big Bash squads 2021-22: Full BBL 11 player lists