September 9, 2024

Surrey Sign Shakib Al Hasan for Upcoming Somerset Match

Alec Stewart, Surrey’s director of cricket, described signing Shakib Al Hasan for one match as an “easy decision.” Surrey brought Shakib in for their crucial County Championship game against Somerset at Taunton this week.

Surrey, aiming for their third consecutive Championship title in Stewart’s final season, are currently 24 points ahead of second-placed Somerset with three matches left. The team is missing eight players on England duty due to overlapping international fixtures, including Will Jacks and Dan Lawrence, who have been key spin-bowling allrounders this season. “We’ve been aware for a period of time that this fixture was likely to be one where we would have a significant number of players away on England duty and, in particular, missing two of our spinning allrounders,” Stewart said. “When the opportunity to bring a player of the quality of Shakib to the club came along, it was an easy decision to make.”

“Shakib brings a wealth of experience and outstanding skill with bat and ball and we look forward to seeing what he can do for Surrey.”

Shakib Al Hasan Joins Surrey as Tom Curran Returns to First-Class Cricket Amid Team Changes

Shakib Al Hasan is stepping in for Sai Sudharsan, who has gone back to India for the 2024-25 Duleep Trophy. For Shakib, this match is a great opportunity to play competitive cricket before Bangladesh’s Test series in India.

“Surrey are one of the most prestigious clubs in the world and I am pleased to get the chance to represent the club,” he said. “I’m coming here to have an impact and help the team achieve their goals for the season.”

With many players unavailable, Surrey have persuaded Tom Curran to play first-class cricket for the first time in two years. Curran had stepped away from red-ball cricket in February 2023 for personal reasons, but he’s now included in a 15-man squad for their match in Taunton this week.

In addition to Will Jacks and Dan Lawrence, Surrey are missing Ollie Pope, Gus Atkinson, Jamie Smith, Sam Curran, Reece Topley, and Jamie Overton. Despite this, they’ve still named seven international players in their squad. Somerset’s squad features Brett Randell, a New Zealand seamer on a short-term deal.

Meanwhile, Lancashire have signed Trinidadian seamer Anderson Phillip for their final three Championship matches as they fight to avoid relegation. They had been close to signing Pakistani seamer Mohammad Ali, but that deal has fallen through.

Rutherford Withdraws from CPL 2024 Due to Personal Reasons

Falcons opener Fakhar Zaman is heading home to compete in the Champions One-Day Cup.

The St Kitts and Nevis Patriots are facing more challenges in the CPL 2024 season, as Sherfane Rutherford has withdrawn from the tournament for personal reasons. Rutherford’s departure was announced midway through their last home game against the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons. A replacement for him will be announced soon.

Rutherford, 26, played just four games this season, scoring 35 runs with an impressive strike rate of 194.44. In his absence, Dominic Drakes, primarily a bowler, had to bat at No.7 in their recent match. The Patriots are struggling at the bottom of the CPL 2024 points table, with only one win in six matches.

Although Sri Lankan wrist-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga took four wickets for the Patriots, they failed to defend a total of 153 on a challenging pitch. Since winning the CPL in 2021, the Patriots have lost 11 consecutive games at Basseterre.

“I must say thanks, but we disappointed them [the St Kitts and Nevis crowd],” Patriots’ captain Andre Fletcher said after the game. “It’s hard and I would like to apologise as the leader as well, saying sorry for not giving them a win on home soil. But all is not lost, we still have four more games left. We still have to go out there play the cricket and play hard and we will try to win the next four.”

Patriots allrounder Kyle Mayers is also a concern due to injury. He had to leave the field after just two overs, with reports suggesting he might have a hamstring issue. On a positive note, South African batter Rilee Rossouw has returned to action after recovering from a calf injury.

Before the season began, the Patriots already faced setbacks with Zimbabwe allrounder Sikandar Raza being sidelined by injury. Additionally, they have struggled with the unavailability of key players Wanindu Hasaranga and Tabraiz Shamsi at different times.

Fakhar Zaman Heads Home for Champions One-Day Cup

Pakistan and Falcons opener Fakhar Zaman has left the CPL to participate in the Champions One-Day Cup, Pakistan’s domestic 50-over competition running from September 12 to 29, which overlaps with the CPL. Fakhar is set to arrive in Pakistan on September 10 and will play for the Wolves, led by Mohammad Rizwan.

Currently, Fakhar is the top run-scorer for the Falcons in this CPL season, with 159 runs from five innings at an average of 31.80 and a strike rate of 133.61. Despite his departure, Falcons’ teammates Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir will continue to play in the CPL, as will Guyana Amazon Warriors’ wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan.

In Fakhar’s absence, Brandon King has made his debut for the Falcons, slotting in at the top of the order after recovering from a side injury sustained during the 2024 T20 World Cup in June. King scored 29 off 16 balls, helping the Falcons successfully chase down 154 runs.