Eight top-tier cricketers from Pakistan will be participating in this year’s Vitality Blast, kicking off today at the Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham.
Marking its 21st edition, the Vitality Blast was the pioneer T20 league initiated as the Twenty20 Cup in June 2003.
The Pakistani contingent includes fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi, seasoned pacer Hasan Ali, accomplished left-handed opener Shan Masood, all-rounder Shadab Khan, left-arm spinner Zafar Gohar, leg-spinner Usama Mir, and young talents Haider Ali and Zaman Khan. The tournament, spanning nine weeks, will see these players in action.
Shaheen Shah Afridi will be representing Nottinghamshire Outlaws in this year’s edition. Previously, he made a brief but impactful appearance for Hampshire Hawks in 2020, clinching four wickets in four successive deliveries against Middlesex.
Shan Masood will lead Yorkshire Vikings. He was the leading run-scorer for the Derbyshire Falcons in the previous year’s Vitality Blast, amassing 547 runs and steering the Falcons to the quarter-finals.
Seasoned Test cricketer Hasan Ali, contracted with Warwickshire CCC for this season, will also participate in the T20 competition. Hasan, a right-arm pacer, is expected to spearhead the pace attack for Birmingham Bears alongside Chris Woakes.
All-rounder Shadab Khan will be playing for Sussex Sharks throughout the tournament. Shadab, who captains Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), previously played for Yorkshire.
Derbyshire has signed explosive batsman Haider Ali for this county season. Haider, who has played for Peshawar Zalmi and Karachi Kings in the PSL, will also represent Derbyshire Falcons in the T20 Blast. The 22-year-old player was drafted by Derbyshire coach and director of the Pakistan men’s cricket team, Mickey Arthur.
Left-arm spinner Zafar Gohar, known for his commendable all-round performance over the last three seasons, will play for Gloucestershire CCC as part of the Gloucester Gorillas team.
Young pacer Zaman Khan, aged 21, will join Haider Ali in representing Derbyshire Falcons. Zaman, who recently made his international T20I debut for Pakistan against Afghanistan, is a product of the Lahore Qalandars’ player development program.
Lastly, leg spinner Usama Mir will be a part of Worcestershire Rapids for the tournament. Having played six ODIs for Pakistan, Mir has also featured for Karachi Kings and, recently, Multan Sultans in the PSL.
Additional input was taken from Geo News
