The 2022 County season is all set to begin from 7th April and will last till the end of September. The several clubs of the County Cricket have been roping in Pakistani players in their crew for the upcoming season as their overseas players.
So far, nine Pakistani players have penned out the deals with multiple clubs. Let’s have a look in-depth:
Pakistani cricketers signed by clubs for 2022 County season
DERBYSHIRE – Shan Masood
Derbyshire signed Pakistan’s opening batter Shan Masood for the 2022 County season in early December. Masood became Derbyshire’s first signing since the former Pakistani coach Mickey Arthur was named the club’s head of cricket.
The left-handed batter has 1378 runs in 25 Tests including four tons. He will be rendering his services in all formats for Derbyshire. He last played for Pakistan in last summer’s test series versus England when he added 156 off 319 balls in the first inning of the old Trafford’s test
GLOUCESTERSHIRE – Zafar Gohar & Naseem Shah
One of the county clubs, Gloucestershire signed the pacer Naseem Shah and the leg-spinner Zafar Gohar for the 2022 County Season. Naseem will be available for the first few months and will play in all formats until the end of the group stage of the T20 vitality blast. He is the club’s fifth signing following Marcus Harris, Ajeet Singh Dale, Paul van Meekeren and Zafar Gohar since the end of the 2021 season.
As far as Zafar is concerned, he will be available on a pay-as-you-play basis from April before moving to the full contract in August and September. He gathered 20 wickets in the last season for the club including a match haul of 11 for 101 against Durham.
HAMPSHIRE – Mohammed Abbas
Hampshire resigned Mohammad Abbas for the County season 2022 since the player earlier had been rendering his services to the club. The fast bowler will be available at least for the first two months of the season.
The pacer joined the club on a similar deal during the last season. Averaging under 16, he clutched 41 scalps in 10 County Championship 2021 games. Hampshire will start the new season against Somerset on 7th April at Ageas Bowl.
MIDDLESEX – Shaheen Afridi
In early October, Middlesex signed young Pakistan’s pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi for the County season 2022. He will join the club for the pre-season training in spring and will remain the side’s part till mid-July. He will rejoin the Pakistani squad before the team locks horns with Sri Lanka.
During his regime, Afridi will be available for County Championship fixtures as well as the Vitality Blast entirely including the knock-out stages if his team qualifies. His previous experience of the County came against the Hampshire Club in 2020.
SUSSEX – Mohammad Rizwan
The Sussex County club has signed a deal with Pakistan’s terrific opener Mohammad Rizwan ahead of the 2022 County Championship. Sussex cricket was delighted to announce Rizwan as its part of the majority of the version. The wicket-keeping batter will join the club after the conclusion of Pakistan’s home series versus Australia.
Rizwan will be available for the entire T20 Blast and the majority of the County Championship. He will fly back to Pakistan in mid-July just like Shaheen, prioritizing national duties over other tasks. Notably, this will be his first-ever experience in County Cricket.
YORKSHIRE – Haris Rauf
Yorkshire Club signed Pakistani pacer Haris Rauf as a part of their new link-up with Lahore Qalandars. Rauf, who is one of the inspiring stories of Lahore’s player development programme, has also played in Australia’s Big Bash League. The club has not disclosed many details of Haris’s contract but it says the player is with the club for a period of next season.
WORCESTERSHIRE – Azhar Ali
Pakistan’s Test cricketer, Azhar Ali is excited to join Worcestershire for County season 2022. The 37-year old batter was earlier part of Somerset in 2018 and was also a vital cog in the Royal London Cup success.
Following his commitments, he will be available to play all matches of the County Championship this summer. Ali added a century on his debut against Worcestershire, now his club, whilst playing for Somerset. He is all set to make his debut for the new club against Leicestershire on 7th April.
LANCASHIRE – Hassan Ali
The fast bowler Hasan Ali has been the most recent signing from Pakistan by any County Club for the 2022 season. Hasan will be available for the first six matches in the first-class County Championship, the Lancashire club announced on Tuesday.
Lancashire will play their first match on 14th April and will be played at Kent. Hasan has become the ninth Pakistani player to be signed by the County club for the upcoming season.
