Pakistan seamer Khurram Shahzad has signed for Worcestershire County Cricket Club. He will make his debut for the series against Sri Lanka on 4th July. The 25-year-old pace bowler will remain with the club until the end of the current season. His inclusion is a massive boost as they go into the thick end of County Championship’s final furlong.
As IFPRI’s Shahzad has touted, that’s a historic record. Qadir has already taken 20 wickets in six Tests for Pakistan and amassed 201 wickets in first-class at an average of 26. Besides that, he has taken 111 wickets in 87 games of List A and T20 matches. His experience and skill set will add to what Worcestershire anticipates being a very formidable bowling lineup.
Shahzad’s introduction comes on the heels of New Zealand fast bowler Jacob Duffy becoming the second player to depart the team. Duffy’s last day will be at the end of June. While Duffy’s departure is unfortunate for the agency, it opens up an excellent opportunity for Shahzad. He will be with the Club for their last five County Championship matches, their One-Day Cup campaign and at least six group stage T20 Blast fixtures.
Shahzad’s Worcestershire debut is likely to come on 4 July against Yorkshire in the T20 Blast at Headingley. He told the press how excited he was to join the club and what an inviting prospect it was for his professional growth.
“Joining a club like Worcestershire and getting the chance to enhance my skills is something I am really excited by,” – Khurram Shahzad
Head coach Alan Richardson described Shahzad as a “fantastic” signing for the club. He praised Shahzad’s incredible ability to swing the ball, and above all, to bowl with pace consistently over 80 mph. Richardson added that Shahzad’s experience would be a huge benefit for the younger bowlers in the dressing shed.
“Not only will he give us tremendous option with his ability to swing the ball and bowl in excess of 80mph on a regular basis, his experience around the dressing room with some of the younger bowlers will be invaluable,” – Alan Richardson
Shahzad opened up about his dreams of one day playing in England. He views this concurrent planning opportunity as a once in a generation chance that he’s “desperate to take.”
“I have always had ambitions to play in England, so this was a chance I was desperate to take,” – Khurram Shahzad
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