Yorkshire County confirms Sarfraz joins the club

LONDON: The Yorkshire County Cricket Club has confirmed Pakistan skipper and wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed signed a short-term deal with the Club.

Sarfraz will replace overseas signing for the outgoing Peter Handscomb.

Handscomb is due to depart the UK after the Vikings’ trip to Trent Bridge on Sunday July 30.

The Yorkshire County Cricket Club confirmed on its website, Sarfraz is due to arrive in the UK before the end of the month, subject to obtaining a visa.

It is anticipated he will play the final five qualifying NatWest T20 Blast fixtures, as well as any potential involvement in the knockout stages of the competition.

Karachi-born Sarfraz, who recently captained Pakistan to victory in the Champions Trophy, has accrued 359 runs in 29 T20Is, at a strike rate of 118.48.

The 30-year-old averages 28.03 in domestic T20 cricket, including eight half-centuries.

“I’ve always wanted to play county cricket so this is an exciting opportunity for me,” Sarfraz told yorkshireccc.com.

“Yorkshire are a big club with a rich history and huge reputation and I’m proud to be following in the footsteps of other Pakistanis who have played at Headingley like Younus Khan and Inzamam-ul Haq. It’s a dream come true for me and hopefully it can help me become an even better professional.

“I hope I can contribute towards some victories while I’m there and provide the crowd the sort of entertainment they’re looking for. I look forward to having a taste of the T20 Blast.”