Counties line up to sign Pak players

BY : A CORRESPONDENT.
KARACHI: The coming English county season will see leading Pakistan bowlers in action for different counties and second eleven teams like Scotland and Ireland.

But, interestingly, only one specialist Pakistan batsman has been signed up to play for Ireland which is perhaps a reflection on how Pakistan batting is viewed in the cricket world today.

The counties, however, have moved eagerly to sign up the Pakistan bowlers and the list is an impressive one.

The Pakistan bowlers and all-rounders appearing for English counties and Scotland this summer include Muhammad Sami (Kent), Shabbir Ahmed (Gloucestershire), Saqlain Mushtaq (Surrey), Shoaib Akhtar (Durham), Danish Kaneria (Essex), Mushtaq Ahmed (Sussex), Shoaib Malik (Gloucestershire) and Azhar Mahmood (Surrey).

There are also chances that former captain Waqar Younis who recently announced his retirement from all cricket may turn out for his old Welsh county Glamorgan who are facing availability problems with their Australian signing Kasparowicz.

Pakistan’s young all-rounder Yasir Arafat is also appearing for the Scottish Saltires team after they failed to sign on Springbok batsman Neil McKenzie.

Arafat, a 22-year-old all-rounder who is a professional at Clydesdale, will play for Scotland in the one-day National League after being handed the secondary overseas role filled by South African Jon Kent last season.

"I’m honoured to be asked to play for Scotland and am looking forward to the challenge of facing other international cricketers in the English county sides," said Arafat as he planned to leave for England.

However, Scottish officials, who last term attracted Indian batsman Rahul Dravid, have called off their search for another overseas star after signing on upcoming Indian batsman Sriram.

Pakistan’s discarded young batsmen Faisal Iqbal is also playing for the Sussex second eleven while Hasan Raza is expected to turn out for Ireland.

Besides these players over a dozen Pakistan players will also be appearing in the English league cricket.

- Source : The News International, Pakistan.

Saturday, April 24, 2004.
source : © UAEcricket.com.