Renegades sign Mustafizur Rahman as Behrendorff replacement
The Bangladesh spinner-pacer will miss the season opener in Chennai because of IPL commitments but is likely to play the rest of the tournament.
Melbourne Renegades have signed Bangladesh international Mustafizur Rahman for the KFC BBL|16 season, Cricket Australia said in a statement.
The 31-year-old has played 271 internationals across all formats and will make his first Big Bash contract count as his maiden BBL deal.
He takes the place of injured left-armer Jason Behrendorff, who will miss this summer's tournament after shoulder surgery.
Renegades head coach Luke Ronchi said Mustafizur is a "proven match-winner in T20 cricket all over the world."
Ronchi added that the club wanted wicket-taking ability in both the powerplay and at the death, which Mustafizur offers.
Mustafizur, known as 'The Fizz' for his accurate cutters and slower deliveries, took 3-27 against Australia in Mirpur in June, helping Bangladesh clinch the three-match ODI series 2-0.
He has taken 423 wickets at a strike rate of 16.9 in 331 T20 games, and has claimed 121 wickets across nine Bangladesh Premier League campaigns.
He has also featured in eight editions of the Indian Premier League, winning the 2016 title in his debut season with Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Mustafizur will miss the Renegades' season opener against Perth Scorchers in Chennai due to commitments with Dubai Capitals in the IPL, but is likely to be available for the rest of the tournament.
He said he was looking forward to playing in the BBL for the first time and to appearing at the MCG, which he described as his home ground.
With Mustafizur, the Renegades have filled 16 of a possible 18 list spots, joining England wicketkeeper-batter Jonny Bairstow and New Zealand spinner Michael Bracewell as their international players.
The Big Bash League is Cricket Australia's domestic Twenty20 competition, and the Renegades are one of its eight city-based teams.