Pakistan speedster Naseem Shah has joined Leicestershire County for the beginning of the T20 Blast — albeit for a brief stint — as a alternative for Afghanistan seamer Naveen-ul-Haq.
Naveen is at the moment in India after Lucknow Tremendous Giants certified for the Indian Premier League (IPL) playoffs.
Naseem landed within the UK on Tuesday night and joined his new teammates forward of Thursday’s T20 opener away at Lancashire.
The 20-year-old has claimed 191 profession wickets to this point, which incorporates 73 in T20 cricket at a median of 29.75.
“A precocious expertise, Naseem made his maiden first-class look aged 15, earlier than making his Pakistan debut in Brisbane as a 16-year-old in 2019 – claiming 80 wickets on the worldwide stage,” Leicestershire mentioned in a press launch.
“He has gone on to change into an integral a part of Pakistan’s white-ball squads too. After making his ODI and T20I debuts final August, Naseem has featured on 27 events for his nation, together with being an ever-present as Pakistan completed runners-up within the ICC Males’s T20 World Cup.
“Naseem has prior expertise within the Vitality Blast, taking 5 wickets at 20 for Gloucestershire throughout his spell in Bristol final summer time. He was additionally on account of hyperlink up with Welsh Hearth for The Hundred that 12 months however pulled out following choice for Pakistan’s ODI sequence in opposition to Netherlands and the Asia Cup.”
Shah was additionally enthusiastic about becoming a member of the staff for a quick stint.
“I’m very excited to be becoming a member of the Foxes for the beginning of the Vitality Blast. I can’t wait to satisfy my teammates and assist win video games for Leicestershire,” mentioned the Pakistan seamer.
Director of Cricket, Claude Henderson, added: “Having Naveen within the IPL playoffs meant we needed to make a fast name and we’re extraordinarily excited to have secured somebody of Naseem’s calibre.
“He’s confirmed to be a world-class performer in T20 cricket, and we stay up for seeing him in a Leicestershire shirt shortly.”
Mohammad Abbas, Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq and Umar Akmal have additionally represented the Foxes previously.