Australian speedster Aaron Summers to play for Southern Punjab

KARACHI: Fast bowler Aaron Summers will be the first Australian cricketer to feature in Pakistan’s domestic cricket.

The 24-year-old has been roped in by Southern Punjab for the Pakistan Cup One-Day for first XI sides which starts here from January 8.

The PCB’s domestic competition rules allow one foreign player per side as long as the foreign player submits a Non-Objective Certificate from his home board.

The Tasmanian will arrive in Lahore on Monday (tomorrow) and after a week-long training camp under Azhar Mahmood at the National High Performance Centre will join Southern Punjab in Karachi on January 5.

Apart from Summers, Azhar, who has also been looped in for a short-term contract by Southern Punjab, will also work with Taimoor Bhatti, a 22-year-old fast bowler from Rahim Yar Khan, who is yet to get a domestic exposure, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Saturday.

Summers featured for Karachi Kings in the HBL Pakistan Super League 2019.

He has played for Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League.

On his debut match for the Hurricanes in December 2017, he outpaced Jofra Archer and Tymal Mills to earn the reputation of one of the fastest bowlers on the Australian circuit.

“I am delighted to have been offered a contract by the Southern Punjab Cricket Association, which has proved to be one of the front-running and formidable sides in Pakistan’s domestic cricket,” Summers said.

“Pakistan is a breeding ground for fast bowlers and while I look forward to developing as a quality fast bowler, I am equally keen to help my side perform strongly in the Pakistan Cup, which will be played on double-league format that will test my fitness, form and consistency against some of quality batsmen to the limits,” the Tasmanian said.

“I have been following the ongoing season on social media and the quality of cricket on display has convinced me that Pakistan is the place where I can hone my skills and improve as a cricketer. My goal remains to be a top professional and I think Pakistan can help me achieve that target,” he added.