BBL 2022-23: Sydney Thunder Rope in Usman Qadir

Sydney Thunder have roped in Pakistan leg spinner Usman Qadir to bolster their bowling attack heading into the Big Bash League (BBL) 2022-23. 

The 29-year-old Pakistan spinner has been signed to provide cover for Tanveer Sangha, who’s currently out of action due to a stress fracture of his back.

The right-arm leg spinner will return to Australia’s franchise tournament after four years. He last represented Perth Scorchers, where he took six wickets in seven matches. 

Skillful Pakistani bowler @Qadircricketer signs on with Sydney Thunder for the #BBL12 season! ⚡️⚡️⚡️

Welcome to the #ThunderNation 💚 pic.twitter.com/4yGaEOr6XX

— Sydney Thunder (@ThunderBBL) November 28, 2022

Qadir, son of the late Abdul Qadir has played 23 T20I matches so far for Pakistan and picked up 29 wickets at an economy rate of 8.13. He will add great value to the team, given he has prior experience playing in the BBL. 

With Usman, the Sydney Thunder have now completed their quota of four foreign players, which includes Usman Qadir along with England’s World Cup-winning opener Alex Hales, Rilee Rossouw, and recently signed Afghanistan pace star Fazalhaq Farooqi. 

“Usman joins us with plenty of experience, having represented Pakistan, and playing in T20 leagues around the world. Importantly, he has firsthand knowledge of Australian conditions, he played for Western Australia and South Australia’s Futures League, so he knows what to expect,” Andrew Gilchrist, the head of Sydney Thunder said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. 

The 12th edition of the Big Bash League (BBL) will be played from December 13, 2022, to February 4, 2023. Sydney Thunder will kick off their BBL campaign against Melbourne Stars in Canberra.

BBL 12 | Sydney Thunder Squad 

Ben Cutting, Ollie Davies, Brendan Doggett, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Matthew Gilkes, Chris Green, Alex Hales, Baxter Holt, Nathan McAndrew, Usman Qadir, Alex Ross, Rilee Rossouw, Daniel Sams, Jason Sangha, Tanveer Sangha, David Warner.