BIRMINGHAM: Eight out of nine Pakistani cricketers will be in action tonight during the Vitality Blast 2023.
Players including Shan Masood, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Zaman Khan, Haider Ali, Usama Mir, Shadab Khan, and Zafar Gohar will play for their teams tonight in both North and South groups.
Pacer Hasan Ali, who signed a contract with Warwickshire County Cricket Club (CCC) for this season, was supposed to be in action for Birmingham Bears in T20 Blast. But just moments before the Bears' first game of the tournament against Yorkshire Vikings, Ali twisted his ankle while doing some warm-up exercises
Fast bowler Naseem will be in action again as Leicestershire take on visiting Birmingham in their first home game at Uptonsteel county ground. After their victory in their first match against Yorkshire, Birmingham's batting squad has gained more strength with the arrival of Glen Maxwell. The Aussie has joined Birmingham couple of days ago after his stint with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) season 16.
Pakistan’s premium fast bowler Shaheen is set to play his first game tonight for Nottinghamshire Outlaws against Derbyshire Falcons at Trent Bridge, a match dubbed as “East Midlands Derby”.
Shaheen will lead the attack for the home team and for the visiting team Derbyshire Falcons it will be another young Pakistani fast bowling sensation Zaman Khan to lead their pace attack. The match is also labeled as “Battle of Qalandars” as both quickies play for Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
For Derbyshire, another young hard-hitting batter from Pakistan Haider Ali will also be up as opening batter of Derbyshire.
Shan Masood will lead Yorkshire to their trip to New Road tonight for the match against Worcestershire Rapids. The home team will be expecting their overseas Pakistani player Usama Mir to repeat his all-round performance again as he did in their first match against Northamptonshire Steelbacks.
Usama, who was signed by Worcestershire on a short-term deal, paid a huge contribution towards Rapids' 15-run win over Steelbacks. He picked up three wickets for just 21 runs in his four overs and also scored a quick fire 20 runs on just seven balls.
Leg spinner Shadab will be in action for Sussex Sharks for the first time in the T20 competition. Sharks, who are in the South group, will be up against Somerset at their home ground in Hove for their inaugural match in the competition. Somerset has already won their first match comprehensively against Hampshire by 8 wickets.
Left-arm spinner Zafar Gohar, who signed the deal again this year with Gloucestershire, will also be in action tonight against neighbours, Glamorgan.
Imran Munawar