Derbyshire have signed young Pakistan batter Haider Ali for the entire 2023 county season, announced the club on Friday.
The 22-year-old Haider has represented Pakistan in 33 T20Is and two One-Day internationals. He was also a part of the national team in last year’s T20 World Cup, where the Green Shirts finished as runners-up.
“Ali will be available for Derbyshire in all formats during the 2023 season, subject to international commitments, with the powerful right-hander joining Sri Lankan fast bowler, Suranga Lakmal, as an overseas player.” said a Derbyshire statement.
𝙃𝘼𝙄𝘿𝙀𝙍 𝘼𝙇𝙄 𝙅𝙊𝙄𝙉𝙎 𝘿𝙀𝙍𝘽𝙔𝙎𝙃𝙄𝙍𝙀! 🇵🇰@TheRealPCB batter, Haider Ali, has joined #DCCC for the 2023 season 📝
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— Derbyshire CCC (@DerbyshireCCC) January 27, 2023
While Haider is yet to make his international debut in the longest format of the game, the club are hopeful to tap his potential in the red-ball as he averages 54.33 in 11 first-class appearances, with three centuries and four half-centuries to his credit.
“Haider is an immensely talented young player who already has a wealth of international experience, which will be key for us in all formats,” said Derbyshire’s head of cricket Mickey Arthur.
“I spoke with him at the T20 World Cup, and again during the Lanka Premier League, and he’s so hungry to come to England prove himself in all formats, that’s exactly the attitude we want in our dressing room.”
Meanwhile, Haider expressed that he was excited to work with Arthur since he was still “highly regarded within the Pakistan setup”.
“I’ve seen over the last few years how many Pakistan players have improved their game by playing at a high standard in county cricket, and that’s something I think could really help my development,” he said as quoted by Derbyshire.
Derbyshire start the new season with a home County Championship Division Two match against Worcestershire on 6 April.
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