Leicestershire add Rahmanullah Gurbaz for T20 Blast 2022 campaign

The Afghanistan international joins the returning Naveen-ul-Haq for the new campaign in what will be his first county spell

Afghanistan wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz has signed up as Leicestershire's second overseas player for the 2022 T20 Blast.

He joins fellow-countryman Naveen-ul-Haq, who has signed up for a second campaign after a successful 2021, for his first spell in county cricket.

Currently, part of the Afghanistan squad participating in the men's T20 World Cup, Gurbaz averages 35.14 from 14 matches at a strike-rate of 141.78.

"It has always been my dream to play county cricket," said the 19-year-old.

"From the moment I heard that there was interest, it was an easy decision to make.

✈️ | 𝗚𝘂𝗿𝗯𝗮𝘇 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘂𝗽 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗡𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗲𝗻!@RGurbaz_21 joins fellow countryman, @imnaveenulhaq in Leicestershire for the 2022 @VitalityBlast campaign.

Welcome, Rahmanullah | په حیر راعلی رحمن الله ګربز 👊

🦊 #runningfoxes | #CountyTogether | #WelcomeRahmanullah

— Leicestershire CCC 🏏 (@leicsccc) October 28, 2021

“Naveen spoke so highly of the club and I was desperate to be part of that and show the fans what I can do.”

Head coach Paul Nixon added: “We have been keeping a very close eye on Rahmanullah [Gurbaz] for a couple of years now.

“Rahmanullah is one of the most exciting young players in the modern game, his 360-degree clean power hitting ability is to be marvelled at.

“He has a class and a raw power fused into his game and it creates match-winning abilities.”