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Lloyd Pope is keen to pick the brain of fellow legspinner and new BBL teammate Shadab Khan, the Twenty20 wizard who has linked with the Sydney Sixers.
Lloyd Pope can't wait to pick the brain of fellow legspinner Shadab Khan, who looms as the ace up the Sydney Sixers' sleeve as they pursue a third straight BBL title.
Pope snared 2-33 in Sunday night's derby, helping the Sixers record a 30-run win in the rain-affected contest.
The Sixers named Shadab as an X-factor substitute in that match against the Sydney Thunder, hoping the Pakistan star's COVID-19 test result would come back in time for him to enter the fray.
There was no such luck, but the Sixers nonetheless made it five wins from six games this season.
And Shadab, who memorably troubled Australia in this year's Twenty20 World Cup semi-final, is set to make his club debut in the Sixers' SCG clash with Brisbane Heat on Wednesday.
"It's really exciting for us to add another really experienced international player to our side," Pope said.
"I had a bit of a chat with him, from two metres away while he had his mask on. It was a bit funny.
"I'm really looking forward to picking his brain and seeing what he has to offer.
"He's got a lot of international experience and, especially as a leggie, he'll have a lot to offer. I can't wait to spend some time with him."
Shadab, who made his international debut in all three formats as a teenager in 2017, dismissed Mitch Marsh, Steve Smith, David Warner and Glenn Maxwell in this year's T20 World Cup semi.
Pope, who has been given a chance to shine in the injury-enforced absence of fellow tweakers Steve O'Keefe (calf) and Ben Manenti (neck), also recalled Shadab's tidy work in a three-game stint for the Heat.
"It'd be awesome if I get to play a couple of games with him. I've watched his stuff for Pakistan and in the Big Bash," he said.
"He's a really interesting bowler.
"We'll see what happens with SOK (O'Keefe).
"Who knows, I'm just really excited to see him hopefully take some wickets for the Sixers."
