Imad Wasim signs with Melbourne Renegades for second half of BBL 2020-21

Melbourne Renegades have signed experienced Pakistan bowling allrounder Imad Wasim for the second half of the upcoming BBL season.

Imad will join the Renegades from December 26 after the completion of the three-match T20I series between Pakistan and New Zealand in New Zealand. The 31-year-old will be able to play immediately upon arriving in Australia without quarantining due to the Covid travel-bubble agreement between New Zealand and Australia.

"Imad is one of the best T20 players in the world with his ability to impact games with the ball and to finish the innings with the bat," Renegades coach Michael Klinger said.

"He's an experienced player with recent title success, he's capable of bowling in the powerplay and he'll strengthen our middle-order batting."

Imad joins South Africans Rilee Rossouw and Imran Tahir, and Afghanistan spin duo Mohammad Nabi and Noor Ahmad on the Renegades roster. The BBL has allowed three overseas to play per game this season and the various international commitments and travel restrictions have meant the Renegades have added five to their roster to give them flexibility.

"Given the current landscape we've had to be flexible with our international players," Klinger said. "We'll have Rilee Rossouw available for the whole season while our other international players will feature at different points throughout the tournament.

"It's a really talented group of international players and they'll provide us with some great flexibility throughout the season."