Leicestershire name their overseas players for 2018 County Season

County cricket forms the core of English cricket and has seen many cricketers evolve from here. Various teams representing their counties from England and Wales battle it out to win the championship. For overseas cricketers, playing the county cricket is a very good opportunity to get a exposure to the English conditions. However, counties are allowed to field only one overseas cricketer in the County Championship and One-day Cup competitions.

Most Asian teams have always been keen on sending their pacers to England which ensures they have enough experience and know exactly what works when they next tour the country. Some of the most prominent pacers from the previous generations rediscovered their bowling and were better cricketers after a county stint and thus it has a lot of value.

As part of the latest development, Pakistan pacers Mohammad Abbas and Sohail Khan are set to make a mark in county cricket. The 27-year-old Abbas is a young fast bowler who has thus far represented the national team in 5 Tests. However, he last played a Test against Sri Lanka in 2017. He picked 23 wickets at an average just over 21. Sohail also a fast bowler last played in 2016 at the international level.

Abbas for Leicestershire

Abbas will play Leicestershire’s opening County tie against Sussex but will miss out on few games due to national duties. Sohail will fill in for Abbas in his absence and will also feature for the whole of the one-day domestic championship.

The right-arm pacer expressed his happiness to be playing in the county cricket. He was quoted by Cricbuzz as saying: “I am really pleased to be joining Leicestershire County Cricket Club for the 2018 season. It has been a dream of mine to play in county cricket. I am looking forward to meeting my new teammates and working with Head Coach Paul Nixon and the staff.”

The head coach of Leicestershire County Cricket Club, Paul Nixon was pleased with both the signings he said, ”We have been looking for a quality fast bowler as our overseas professional and Mohammad Abbas ticks all of the boxes. But we expect to be without Mohammad for the first part of the season and it was vital that we secured high-class cover. Sohail Khan has a superb record both in red and white ball cricket, he has good experience on English conditions and really stood out on the last tour when Pakistan played here. Sohail’s bowling will be ideally suited to early season conditions here.”