The Adelaide Strikers believe Bangladeshi Shakib Al Hasan has the ice-cool temperament to thrive when he makes his Big Bash League debut on Sunday night.

Al Hasan will debut for the unbeaten Strikers when they host Sydney Sixers at Adelaide Oval.

The allrounder replaces Strikers captain Johan Botha, who is expected to miss at least two matches with a thumb injury.

Adelaide coach Darren Berry drafted Al Hasan into his squad after Botha’s injury, sustained during Tuesday night’s six-wicket win against Perth Scorchers.

“While it’s disappointing to be missing our captain at this stage of the season, we are lucky to be able to add someone as talented as Al Hasan to our line up at such short notice,” Berry said.

“Al Hasan is renowned for being a cool under pressure, which is so important in this form of the game.

“He is a left-arm orthodox spinner and a left-hand punishing batsman so he will play a similar role to Botha and will help to maintain the balance in our team.

“He is chomping at the bit.”

Al Hasan, the first ever Bangladeshi player in the BBL, has played 26 Twenty20 internationals for his country and is rated the fourth-best allrounder on the ICC’s T20 rankings.

He averages 20.30 with the bat at a strike rate of 125.71 and has taken 33 wickets at an economy rate of 6.74.

The Strikers, to be led by Phil Hughes in the absence of Botha, are in second spot and undefeated in the competition with consecutive wins following the wash-out of their opening match.

They host the fourth-placed Sixers, also with two wins from three starts, who clinched a nail-biting last-over victory against Brisbane Heat on Thursday night.