Izharulhaq Naveed joins Sydney Sixers as Rehan Ahmed withdraws in BBL 13
Harry Brook and Zak Crawley join Rehan Ahmed in withdrawing from the BBL citing national duties.
Cricket PassionEditor
Posted - 2023-12-01T12:35:32+06:00
Updated - 2023-12-01T12:35:32+06:00
The Sydney Sixers have recalled Afghanistan legspinner Izharulhaq Naveed for this season's BBL after England's Rehan Ahmed withdrew from the tournament after being selected for the tour of West Indies in both white-ball formats.
The Sydney Sixers have welcomed back Afghan Izharulhaq Naveed for this year's BBL, replacing the place vacated by Englishman Rehan Ahmed, who withdrew due to his selection for the West Indies tour. Naveed made a surprising but impactful debut last year, picking up nine wickets in nine games at an impressive economy rate of 7.37. His outstanding performance put him at the top of the list when the Sixers were looking for a replacement, proving his value to the team.
He will now join veteran Steve O'Keefe, Test off spinner Todd Murphy and 20-year-old all-rounder Joel Davies to form the Sixers' spin options.
Rehan's withdrawal from the BBL is joined by Harry Brook and Zak Crawley, both of whom were selected for the West Indies' ODI leg, delaying Crawley's arrival for the Perth Scorchers' campaign. Additionally, even though he is not part of the official tour, Davies will be involved as a net bowler during the Australian T20I team's stay in India for learning and development opportunities.
The Sixers have not released Nathan Lyon, who has instead moved to the Melbourne Renegades and will face his former club in the opening game of the season at the SCG before heading out for Test duty.
The Sixers will have Steven Smith available for this game and hope to also see him for the derby against Sydney Thunder on January 12th. Murphy will not feature in the opening match as he was selected for the Prime Minister's XI against Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Murphy will miss the opening match as he was selected for the Prime Minister's starting XI against Pakistan. Recent BBL overseas signings include Englishman David Payne, who joined the Adelaide Strikes as a replacement for Rashid Khan, and all-rounder Liam Dawson, who signed for the first three games with the Melbourne Stars after Payne joined last season with the title-winning Perth Scorchers.
