Brisbane Heat have bolstered their bowling attack in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) 15 by signing Pakistan fast bowler Zaman Khan as an international replacement for the injured Shaheen Shah Afridi.

The 24 year old right arm pacer has been cleared by the BBL Technical Committee and is expected to be available for Heat’s clash against Sydney Thunder at the Gabba on Saturday.

Interestingly, the fixture will see Zaman face his former side, having previously represented the Thunder during BBL 13. Known for his trademark slingy action and exceptional skills at the death, Zaman featured in four matches for Sydney, claiming eight wickets at an impressive average of 16.38.

Since making his international debut in 2023, Zaman has represented Pakistan in 10 T20 Internationals and one One Day International, picking up seven wickets across formats.

The pacer arrives in Australia in strong form after making an immediate impact in the Abu Dhabi T10, where he claimed a hat-trick in his opening match of the tournament.

Zaman also brings valuable experience from various franchise leagues worldwide. He plays for Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) under Shaheen Afridi and has previously featured for Manchester Originals in England’s The Hundred.

Brisbane Heat head coach Johan Botha expressed confidence that Zaman’s inclusion would add extra bite to the bowling unit as the competition enters a crucial phase.

“He’s a genuine wicket-taker up front, but he can also control an over with his variations and pace,” Botha said.
“He complements our attack nicely and gives us additional options in the key bowling periods. Zaman was a handful when he first came on the scene and has continued to evolve his game.”