Shropshire Star

Sarfraz Ahmed joins Yorkshire as Peter Handscomb’s replacement

The Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman will be available for five NatWest T20 Blast fixtures, as well as the knock-out stages of the competition.

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Yorkshire have signed Pakistan’s Sarfraz Ahmed as a replacement overseas player for Peter Handscomb.

Handscomb is due to leave Headingley at the end of the month to link up with the Australia squad to tour Bangladesh.

Subject to obtaining a visa, wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfraz will be available for five NatWest T20 Blast fixtures, as well as any potential involvement in the knock-out stages of the competition.

Sarfraz, who captained Pakistan to victory in last month’s Champions Trophy, is looking forward to his first spell in county cricket.

“I’ve always wanted to play county cricket so this is an exciting opportunity for me,” he told Yorkshire’s official website.

“Yorkshire are a big club with a rich history and huge reputation and I’m proud to be following in the footsteps of other Pakistanis who have played at Headingley like Younus Khan and Inzamam-ul Haq.

“It’s a dream come true for me and hopefully it can help me become an even better professional.

“I hope I can contribute towards some victories while I’m there and provide the crowd the sort of entertainment they’re looking for. I look forward to having a taste of the T20 Blast.”

Shaun Marsh, who initially joined as a second overseas player for the NatWest T20 Blast, will play the remaining five Specsavers County Championship matches.

Yorkshire director of cricket Martyn Moxon said: “The Bangladesh tour was planned so it’s something we always knew could happen, but Pete has settled really well and we have got to deal with these international calls.

“We hope Pete continues his fine form but doesn’t get too many against England in the winter. He’s a fine young player and I’m sure will go on to great things.”

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