Five Pakistani Cricketers to Feature in 2025 Rothesay County Championship
The 2025 Rothesay County Championship kicks off on Friday, April 4, marking the return of the cricket season in England. This year, five prominent Pakistani cricketers will participate, adding international flair to the competition. These players include Shan Masood, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas, Kashif Ali, and Zafar Gohar.
Key Players in Focus:
- Shan Masood – Representing Leicestershire County Cricket Club
- Shan Masood, Pakistan’s Test team captain, will play in all three formats for Leicestershire this season. The 35-year-old has had a remarkable journey in county cricket.
- Key Stats:
- 2022: Scored 1,832 runs in 28 matches with Derbyshire.
- 2023-2024: Led Yorkshire back to Division One, scoring 720 runs in 2023 and 520 runs in 2024.
- Season Outlook: Masood will join Leicestershire by May 31, in time for the Vitality T20 Blast and is expected to stay for the entire season, with no Test commitments for Pakistan during this period.
- Hasan Ali – Returning to Warwickshire
- Hasan Ali, the right-arm fast bowler, returns to Warwickshire for his third consecutive season.
- Key Stats:
- 2023: Took 24 wickets in the County Championship.
- Despite injury setbacks, Hasan remains a fan favorite at Edgbaston and is expected to make a full return in the T20 Blast in May.
- Season Outlook: Hasan will rejoin Warwickshire on May 29, available for all formats after completing his PSL commitments.
- Mohammad Abbas – Playing for Nottinghamshire
- Mohammad Abbas, the seasoned fast bowler, will debut for Nottinghamshire in the 2025 season.
- Key Stats:
- Hampshire (2021-2024): Took 180 wickets at an average of 19.26.
- Has been a consistent performer in county cricket, earning a recall to the Pakistan squad.
- Season Outlook: Abbas will play six County Championship matches, scheduled for May and September.
- Kashif Ali – Debuting with Kent
- Kashif Ali, the emerging pacer from Rawalpindi, joins Kent County Cricket Club for the first time.
- Key Stats:
- Test debut in 2025 against the West Indies.
- Has taken 110 wickets in 35 first-class matches.
- Season Outlook: Kashif will be available as a cover for Wes Agar during April and May but is not part of Kent’s opening game against Northamptonshire.
- Zafar Gohar – Representing Middlesex as a Local Player
- Zafar Gohar, a left-arm spinner, will play for Middlesex in the 2025 season, having obtained British citizenship.
- Key Stats:
- Previously played for Gloucestershire, taking 118 wickets across 34 first-class matches.
- Led Gloucestershire in wickets with 47 scalps in 2022.
- Season Outlook: Gohar will feature in Middlesex’s opening match against Lancashire at Lord’s.
