Warwickshire sign Pakistan pacer Mir Hamza for 2 County Championship matches

By India Today Sports DeskWarwickshire have Pakistan fast bowler Mir Hamza on a short-team deal for the ongoing County Championship. The speedster has replaced compatriot Hasan Ali and will play in Warwickshire’s home matches against Lancashire and Middlesex.

Hamza played county cricket before, having represented Sussex back in 2019 when he picked up 24 wickets from seven matches. Hamza was expected to join Warwickshire for last week’s game against Kent, but his arrival was delayed due to visa issues.

“Hamza will give us another dimension to our bowling unit as a left-armer,” Mark Robinson, the team’s head coach, was quoted as saying.

“We’re slightly stretched at the minute, and although Craig Miles and Liam Norwell are on the comeback trail, we’ll be light in the seam department if anything happens to our currently fit bowlers.

“He played alongside Burgy [Michael Burgess] and Briggsy [Danny Briggs] at Sussex, who along with Hasan, have all spoke about him being a very skilful bowler,” Robinson added.

Warwickshire are currently placed third in the Division table and are 23 points shy of table-toppers Surrey.

Hamza made his debut in international cricket back in October 2018, but has never been able to cement his spot in the side. Hamza’s last Test match was against New Zealand in January 2023, where he managed to pick up only one wicket. He is not a part of Pakistan’s ongoing Test series against Sri Lanka.

His bowling statistics reveal an impressive record, with 379 wickets in 95 first-class matches, 124 wickets in 86 List A matches, and 52 wickets in 53 T20 matches.