Adelaide Strikers have snapped up spin sensation Rashid Khan for the seventh edition of the Big Bash League, the club announced on Thursday (September 14). The 18-year-old leg-spinner becomes the first Afghanistan player to be signed in Australia's domestic T20 league.

"I am very happy to have signed with the Strikers for the BBL," Rashid said. "It is a huge honour to be a part of such a great tournament and even more of an honour to be the first Afghanistan player to participate on the BBL stage. I look forward to linking up with my Strikers teammates and backroom staff."

Rashid had an outstanding season in his maiden Indian Premier League gig for the Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he picked up 17 wickets. More recently, though, he became the first bowler to register a hat-trick in the history of the Caribbean Premier League.

Jason Gillespie, the Strikers coach, said the team is delighted to procure the services of the legspinner. "Rashid has set the world alight in T20 cricket with his energy, enthusiasm, and great control for a young guy," he said. "He has some great variations, can bowl stump-to-stump and can be very hard to pick. We're delighted to be able to offer him the opportunity to play for the Adelaide Strikers.

Current squad: Wes Agar, Alex Carey, Jono Dean, Ben Laughlin, Jake Lehmann, Michael Neser, Peter Siddle, Billy Stanlake, Jake Weatherald, Colin Ingram (overseas), Rashid Khan (overseas)