BBL 2020-21: Imran Tahir and Noor Ahmad roped in by Melbourne Renegades

The Melbourne Renegades have strengthened their squad for the upcoming season of Big Bash League (BBL) by adding overseas stars like Imran Tahir and Noor Ahmad. With the addition of the two quality wrist spinners, the team looking strong now. However, Tahir will be available only after Christmas only while Ahmad will fill in for him by that time. By signing these two stars, the league has taken a broad spectrum of age.

South Africa’s Tahir announced his international retirement post World Cup 2019 and is currently 41. On the other hand, Ahmad is just 15 and looking forward to exploring his career in this field. The addition of Tahir will provide the team with great confidence as he has excelled in T20 formats quite a lot. In fact, in IPL 2019, he was the leading wicket-taker and took away the Purple Cap.

“Imran Tahir has excelled in the T20 format right across the world and he’ll provide another genuine wicket-taking threat. We’ve [also] been tracking Noor Ahmad closely for more than a year now, and although he’s in the early stages of his career, he’s an exciting prospect and he has a few tricks that’ll make life difficult for batsmen,” said Renegades coach Michael Klinger as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

I’m looking forward to joining my new Renegades team-mates: Imran Tahir

Despite the return of Mohammad Nabi in their artillery, Renegades still have a vacant overseas spot. In light of the recent rules in BBL, clubs can have three overseas players in their playing XI. Tahir is currently in UAE, plying his trade for Chennai Super Kings, where he got to appear in the playing XI very late. Though the ace spinner has played almost 300 T20 games, he is yet to make his BBL debut.

It is because of his stunning performance over the years in T20 leagues that he has become a demanding property in the format. “I’ve watched the Big Bash from afar [and] have admired how competitive it is. I’m looking forward to joining my new Renegades team-mates and working hard with them to produce a successful season,” said Tahir.
As far as Ahmad is concerned, he made his debut in this year’s Shpageeza Premier League for the Mis Ainak Knights.