Sussex sign Pakistan pacer Mir Hamza for 2019 season

Sussex, on Thursday (January 31), announced the signing of Pakistan pacer Mir Hamza for nine first-class matches of the upcoming 2019 season. A left-arm pacer, Hamza made his debut during the Test series against Australia in October last year but failed to make any impact whatsoever. He finished the game with just one wicket and has not played any game for Pakistan since then.

Hamza will begin his stint with Sussex with the away fixture against Northants in May while his last appearance in the County Championship will be against Lancashire at Old Trafford in July. Overall, He will play eight games in the County Championship and one against the visiting Australia A team at Arundel in July.

Expressing his delight over signing his maiden deal for a county outfit, Hamza said he is excited to follow in the footsteps of the legends like Javed Miandad and Imran Khan. “I’m very excited to have the chance to play county cricket with a great club like Sussex, following in the footsteps of Pakistan legends like Javed Miandad and Imran Khan,” said Hamza as quoted by The Cricketer.

He further said he is looking forward to working with legendary Australian pacer and Sussex head coach Jason Gillespie. “I hope I can make a good contribution towards some victories. And on a personal level I am looking forward to working with – and learning from – Jason Gillespie,” said the Pakistani speedster who has picked up 282 wickets in 59 first-class games.

‘Hamza will have positive impact’

Gillespie is also looking forward to working with the left-arm pacer, hoping that the club’s latest recruit will add depth to the bowling lineup. “He’s a left-arm swing bowler who has performed well when opportunities have been there for him for his country. He will add to the depth our seam bowling unit at the club. He will no doubt have a positive impact,” said Gillespie.

Sussex, meanwhile, will be looking to put up a good show this season after a heartbreaking end to the previous one. They finished third in the Championship and missed out on promotion by whiskers before losing the final in the T20 Blast against Worcestershire.

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