Pakistan star Shaheen Shah Afridi to join Middlesex for 2022 season

AFP via Getty Images

Middlesex have announced the signing of Pakistan star Shaheen Shah Afridi for next summer’s County Championship and Vitality Blast in a major coup for the club.

The 21-year-old will be available for the start of the red-ball season until being called away to international duty in mid-July, and the entirety of the T20 Blast, including the knockout stages should Middlesex get that far.

The quick has played 19 Tests for his country and picked up a ten-wicket haul against the West Indies earlier this summer, while he has also made 59 international appearances across ODI and T20 formats.

Afridi will be returning to Lord’s, where he took an historic 6 for 35 against Bangladesh during the pool stage of the 2019 Cricket World Cup to become the youngest player ever to take a five-for in the tournament.

“I am very excited to be playing for Middlesex next season,” Afridi said. “I know from my time in England they are a great county and to play at the Home of Cricket really will be a dream come true. I am looking forward to being part of the team and helping create a wonderful season for the club.”

The spell will be Afridi’s second in English domestic cricket after he turned out for Hampshire in the 2020 Blast, taking four wickets in four balls in a match against his new side at the Ageas Bowl.

“We are absolutely delighted to have secured the services of one of international crickets’ most exciting talents,” Middlesex chief executive Andrew Cornish said. “Shaheen is a world-class pace bowler, and we are thrilled that he will be representing us in 2022.

“We need Middlesex to be competing at the top level and challenging for trophies. Signing players of Shaheen’s calibre, who can add quality and experience to our existing squad, is a significant step towards us getting there.”

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