Pakistan's emerging pacer Mohammad Hasnain has joined Sydney Thunder for the ongoing season 11 of Big Bash League (BBL).
The 21-year-old's signing was confirmed as the Thunder’s latest recruit on Monday.
He joins a Thunder squad which already boasts quality pace bowlers Daniel Sams, Ben Cutting, Saqib Mahmood, Chris Tremain, Nathan McAndrew, Gurinder Sandhu, and Brendan Doggett.
Hasnain is expected to make his debut in the Sydney Smash against cross-town rivals the Sixers on Boxing Day (December 26).
According to Thunder’s Ben Cutting, who played alongside the youngster at Quetta, Hasnain is certain to ‘hurry up’ plenty of BBL batters - if given the opportunity.
“He bowls fast; easily at 150 km/h,” said Cutting. “He’s a lovely young kid, and his team back home is keen for him to learn about the game and to also come out here and bowl fast.
“Muhammad is going to love bowling in Australia. We have faster pitches and bigger boundaries - conditions that are far more conducive to bowling fast than they are in Pakistan.
“I have no doubt he’s going to enjoy the experience, and I know he’ll be a tremendous addition to Sydney Thunder’s squad.”
CNSW Head of Male Cricket, Michael Klinger, described Hasnain as a player who is certain to excite the Thunder Nation.
He’s a fast bowler who bowls with extreme pace and has fantastic T20 skills and variations,” said Klinger ahead of Hasnain’s arrival.
“At such a young age he’s already taken a T20I hattrick for Pakistan, and he’s performed well for Quetta in the Pakistan Super League.”
It must be noted that Hasnain is the youngest bowler to take a hattrick in a T20I match. He claimed this feat at the age of 19 against Sri Lanka two years back.
With 29 international wickets, Hasnain has represented Pakistan in 17 T20Is and 12 ODI matches.