With start of new English County Championship 2019, 4 Pakistani players will be representing different counties in England as an overseas signings. Other than two new signings of rising fast bowler Mir Hamza by Sussex and all rounder Faheem Ashraf by Northamptonshire. Remaining 2 players batsman Azhar Ali & fast bowler Mohammad Abbas have been retained by their counties for which they have played in 2018 season.
Let’s have a look at each player with what counties are expecting from these talented Pakistani players in their upcoming stint.
Mohammad Abbas:
Mohammad Abbas will be representing Leicestershire for whom he made his county debut during the last season. Mohammad Abbas stats during the last season in which he played 10 Championship matches in which he picked up staggering 52 wickets at an average of under 18 runs per wicket. Abbas took five 5 wicket hauls in an innings and one haul of 10 wickets in a match. Abbas will be representing Leicestershire full county season including Championship matches, Royal London One Day Cup and Vitality Blast T20 Cup.
Azhar Ali:
Pakistan’s middle order batsman Azhar Ali who made his county debut for Somerset last season and have an average season when he scored 432 runs at an average of 33 runs per innings in 12 completed innings, punctuated with his only championship century of 125 runs and two other 50+ knocks. But it was Azhar’s ability to bat long and stay at the wicket impressed Somerset who has resigned Azhar for 2019 season both for Championship matches and Royal London One Day Cup.
Faheem Ashraf:
Young all rounder Faheem Ashraf who have made ODI debut in ICC Champions trophy 2017 & test debut both in England while playing for Pakistan. Faheem who has been signed by Northamptonshire for Vitality T20 Blast full season of 2019. Faheem who mostly open the bowling for Pakistan and can provide late order flourish with the bat caught the eye of management at Northampton County. Faheem also has a T20I hat-trick to his name.
There are some chances that some players will get a chance to secure county contracts as there are other short term contracts may be offered mid way through the season.
