Sussex have signed up Pakistani fast bowler Mir Hamza for the 2019 County Championship on a two-month deal. The left-arm fast bowler will be available for nine county matches and a tour game against Australia A.
The 26-year-old made his Test debut against Austraia in Abu Dhabi in October 2018 and has 282 wickets at 18.34 from 59 first-class matches. His first game is likely to be against Northamptonshire on May 20.
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“We’re looking forward to welcoming Mir Hamza to Sussex,” the county’s head coach Jason Gillespie said.
“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 of our seam bowling unit at the club. He will no doubt have a positive impact.”
Not a great day for England.
The Windies finish on 30-0, after England were bowled out for just 187.
Is this series slipping away from the visitors?#WIvENG | #WIvsENG
SCORECARD ➡️ https://t.co/mvoVZGAUlR pic.twitter.com/TnZwNEedRQ
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) January 31, 2019
Hamza said he was “excited to have the chance” to play with Sussex and follow “the footsteps of Pakistan legends like Javed Miandad and Imran Khan” who had also turned out for the county.
“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 Hamza.
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This is Sussex’s second signing from Asia in consecutive years. Last season, they acquired Ishant Sharma prior to India’s Test tour of England. This season, however, Sussex expect greater participation from the Pakistani seamer, as they aim for promotion to Division One, having finished third in Division Two last summer.
