SuperCoach BBL player watch: Should you sign Fawad Ahmed?

Fawad Ahmed has headed west to add class and experience to the injury-hit Perth Scorchers bowling attack. But will the leg-spinner be a SuperCoach BBL hit in orange?

Recruit Fawad Ahmed looms as one of the key figures in a revamped Perth Scorchers bowling line-up this summer.

With Andrew Tye (elbow) and Jason Behrendorff (back) to miss BBL09 after surgery and Nathan Coulter-Nile crossing to Melbourne Stars, the leg-spinner will shoulder a significant bowling burden.

The 37-year-old will be one of the most experienced players in Perth’s side, joined by Test quick Jhye Richardson, rising duo Cameron Green and Aaron Hardie, paceman Matthew Kelly and Aussie short-form spinner Ashton Agar.

Ahmed is effectively a direct replacement for import Usman Qadir, who has not been re-signed after taking six wickets in seven games during BBL08.

The veteran has an impressive career record with 91 wickets from 88 T20s and was one of the leading internationals in this year’s Caribbean Premier League with 10 scalps.

Ahmed starts BBL09 at an inviting price of $113,000 after averaging 39.3 last summer.

A Round 3 double game week, when the Scorchers face Adelaide Strikers and Sydney Sixers, further adds to his appeal.

Fawad Ahmed has crossed from Sydney Thunder to Perth Scorchers. Picture: Phil Hillyard.

The Scorchers do not have a bye until Round 5, giving Ahmed five matches to make enough profit to be upgraded to a fallen premium.

Melbourne Stars have doubles in Round 5 and 7, which would put players such as Glenn Maxwell ($175,100) and Sandeep Lamichhane ($176,600) within reach.

SuperCoaches taking the plunge on Ahmed will be hopeful he features as prominently for Perth as he did for Sydney Thunder.

In BBL08, Ahmed delivered 47 overs, only one short of bowling his maximum four overs in every game.

Those who frequently bowl at least two overs can accrue economy rate bonuses and are more likely to accumulate wickets and dot balls.

Ahmed ticks plenty of boxes, however it is worth monitoring Perth Scorchers’ signings in the next month.

The Scorchers have at least one international slot available after signing Englishman Liam Livingstone.

Unless that is filled by a spinner, it would increase Ahmed’s appeal as a SuperCoach BBL option, with Agar expected to depart in mid-January for Australian’s one-day tour of India.

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