Nabi, Pollard join Renegades after Narine opts out

Afghanistan's Mohammad Nabi and West Indies' Kieron Pollard have been signed by Melbourne Renegades for the upcoming BBL season, starting December 19. The allrounders will join Dwayne Bravo as the team's other overseas recruits.

Sunil Narine, Renegades' leading wicket-taker last season, has withdrawn from the tournament citing personal reasons.

Nabi, one of two Afghanistan players to be handed an IPL contract, will join the Renegades squad for their first match against Hobart Hurricanes on December 21. He will be replaced later in the season by Pollard, who is currently playing the BPL. Bravo will be available for the entire BBL season, which ends on February 4.

Renegades head coach Andrew McDonald said the timely signing of Narine's replacements would boost the team, which failed to secure a semi-final berth because of an inferior run-rate last season.

"We wish Sunil all the best," he told melbournerenegades.com.au. "At short notice we are pleased that we've been able to secure players of Mohammad and Kieron's quality who will be important contributors this season for us."