Big Bash League side Brisbane Heat have signed up Pakistan top order batter Fakhar Zaman as a replacement for their overseas player Tom Abell after the latter was not able to get fit for the later stages of the tournament.
Talking about the signing, Wade Seccombe, the Heat's head coach, said, "Fakhar will join us in Melbourne ahead of the game against the [Melbourne] Renegades [on January 6],"
"Due to Queensland's current border restrictions, he will need to spend 14 days outside of the state before he can play in Queensland. We are pleased he will be with us for what are shaping as key games.
He is a classy performer who gets the job done in the teams he has played for so we are confident he can settle in quickly,” the coach further added.
Englishman Abell, who travelled to Australia with the England Lions squad joined Heat at the start of the season but subsequently injured himself in only his second game and it was confirmed on Friday that he will not be able to further take any part in the league.
The 27-year-old has returned to the United Kingdom and will now rehabilitate to get ready for the Pakistan Super League in late January where he will represent Karachi Kings.
Fakhar, who has mostly played as an opener in his career but of late made himself an able number three player has an experience of 175 T20s and can come in handy for the Heat, who are currently placed fifth in the BBL points table.