Middlesex sign Shaheen Shah Afridi for 2022 season

The 21-year-old pace bowler, who has made 77 appearances for Pakistan in all formats, will be available in both the County Championship and T20 Blast until mid-July

The Cricketer | 06/10/2021 at 15:12

Middlesex have signed Pakistan international Shaheen Shah Afridi for the 2022 season.

The 21-year-old pace bowler will be available until mid-July, when he is expected to join up with Pakistan for international duty. He will represent the club in both the County Championship and T20 Blast until that point, including the knockout stages of the latter competition should Middlesex qualify.

Despite his young age, Afridi has already been capped 77 times in all formats by Pakistan. In 19 Test appearances, he has taken 76 wickets, including three five-fors, at an average of 25.25 while in his 30 T20I matches he has collected a further 32 wickets.

Afridi has also made 37 appearances for Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League, taking 37 wickets, and spent the 2020 Blast season with Hampshire, memorably taking four wickets in four deliveries against Middlesex.

Commenting on joining Middlesex, Afridi said: "I am very excited to be playing for Middlesex next season. 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."

Chief executive, Andrew Cornish, added: "We are absolutely delighted to have secured the services of one of international cricket's most exciting talents. Shaheen is a world-class pace bowler, and we are thrilled that he will be representing us in 2022.

"His signature was highly sought-after, and the fact that he has chosen to join Middlesex is a massive coup for us as a club and speaks volumes of our ambitions.

"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."