BBL 2018-19: Brisbane Heat bring in Afghanistan's teenage spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman

The Brisbane Heat have successfully signed Afghanistan’s teenage spin prodigy Mujeeb Ur Rahman for the 2018-19 edition of Big Bash League. The 17-year-old earlier became the first male player born in the 21st century to play international cricket when he made his debut for Afghanistan last year. Mujeeb has since represented his country in all three formats of the game.

An off-spinner who can also bowl conventional spin, Mujeeb is the second overseas player signed by the Heat. He joins New Zealand’s bustling opening batsman Brendon McCullum in the Brisbane setup for BBL08. Each side in the BBL is entitled to have a maximum of two overseas players in their eighteen-man squads.

After being signed by the Heat, young Mujeeb said, “Once I played for my country I dreamed of playing in the IPL, county cricket and the Big Bash. I have been able to achieve the first two so this is very exciting for me. I am looking forward to meeting up with everyone at the Heat and playing in Australia.”

Mujeeb a rare talent: Daniel Vettori

Mujeeb is currently playing in the inaugural Afghanistan Premier League, in the same team as his future Heat teammate Ben Cutting. The teenage spinning sensation is expected to be available for the entire BBL tournament which kicks off in mid-December this year.

Daniel Vettori, head coach of the Brisbane Heat, said he was excited to see a youngster like Mujeeb perform for the side in the upcoming BBL. “Mujeeb is a rare talent and we’re delighted he is going to play in the BBL for the first time. From what we have seen so far at International level and in competitions like the IPL and the Vitality t20 Blast in England, he has the skills and maturity to adapt and excel in a variety of conditions,” he said.

“He has been successful in the power play and closing out an innings, so we will have options to explore depending on the state of the game. At this stage we anticipate having him for the entire BBL which is a bonus,” the former Kiwi all-rounder added.

The Brisbane Heat will kick off their BBL 08 campaign on the opening day of the tournament, playing at home against defending champions Adelaide Strikers.

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