The Pakistan batter signs up for the 2023 season across all formats, subject to international commitments, and joins Suranga Lakmal on the overseas roster
Derbyshire have added Pakistan batter Haider Ali as an overseas player for the 2023 season.
The 22-year-old will be available across all formats, subject to international commitments.
His arrival expands an overseas roster which includes seamer Suranga Lakmal, who returns for his second campaign at the Incora County Ground and reaffirms Mickey Arthur's commitment to the club, amid continued speculation regarding a return to Pakistan.
"I've seen over the last few years how many Pakistan players have improved their game by playing at a high standard in county cricket, and that's something I think could really help my development," he said.
"Mickey Arthur is such a respected figure in world cricket and he’s still so highly-regarded within the Pakistan setup, so the opportunity to learn from him is one I'm so excited about.
Haider celebrates scoring a fifty on his T20I debut against England at Old Trafford (MIKE HEWITT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
"I want to help Derbyshire win games in all formats, there's a lot of good players here and Mickey wants to achieve something big with this club. Hopefully, I can contribute a lot of runs in 2023 and entertain the Derbyshire crowd."
Haider has played two one-day internationals and 33 T20Is for Pakistan and was part of the squad which reached the World Cup final against England last November.
In 11 first-class matches, Haider has already recorded three centuries and four fifties, averaging 54.33.
Expected to open the batting in the County Championship and Royal London Cup, Haider will be hoping he can mirror the impact of Shan Masood, who struck 1,766 runs across formats last term before moving to Yorkshire.
Mickey Arthur signed a new contract with Derbyshire until 2025 last December (Alex Davidson/Getty Images)
Arthur is a known admirer of the right-hander. While making a player-of-the-match 68 from 39 balls against West Indies in December 2021, the ex-Pakistan head coach wrote on Twitter: "Haider Ali is going to be a serious player."
He was part of the Dambulla Aura squad coached by Arthur during the Lanka Premier League and is gearing up for his maiden campaign with Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League.
"Haider is an immensely talented young player who already has a wealth of international experience, which will be key for us in all formats," said Arthur.
"I spoke with him at the T20 World Cup, and again during the Lanka Premier League, and he's so hungry to come to England prove himself in all formats, that’s exactly the attitude we want in our dressing room.
"Of course, he still has a lot of developing to do, but I’ve outlined what I expect from him and I have no doubt Haider will succeed in county cricket."
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