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July 2, 2025

Sajid Khan eyes county stint to enhance white-ball credentials

Sajid Khan eyes county stint to enhance white-ball credentials
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After a breakthrough Test season, Pakistan spinner Sajid Khan, 31, is seeking a move into English county cricket to sharpen his skills in the shorter formats and improve his white-ball prospects. The bid comes on the back of his impressive form, as he continues to push for ODI and T20I opportunities.

Since debuting in Test cricket in April 2021, Sajid has earned 59 wickets at an average of 27.28 over 12 matches—four of them five-wicket hauls—highlighting his growing dominance in red-ball cricket. Most recently, he took 15 wickets in the two-Test series against the West Indies in Multan, averaging just 17.00.

Despite this, he has yet to receive a white-ball cap. In a recent interview with Samaa TV, he said: “I will look to learn something new if I get any opportunity to play in the white-ball formats in the future.”

England’s county championship—with its mix of red-ball and limited-over matches—is Sajid’s ideal training ground ahead of a potential move to international white-ball cricket.

He disclosed that he’s been practising extensively with the new Dukes ball in Peshawar, bowling hours at a stretch alongside coach Zohaib Khan. “I’ve worked … to prepare with the new ball … for one to two hours on end,” Sajid confirmed to ESPNcricinfo, adding: “It’s about building stamina and control.”

Cricketing legend Shahid Afridi has lent support to the idea, suggesting Sajid’s confidence, fielding, and even batting power could make him an asset in limited-overs cricket. “His confidence is very high … he can also hit sixes in batting,”

What’s next

  • County deal: Sajid is in advanced talks with at least one English county (likely from Division One) for the 2025 season.
     
  • White-ball debut: Selection for Pakistan’s limited-overs games—such as the Champions Trophy or tri-series—remains a realistic aim if he performs abroad.
     
  • Domestic form: Continued impact in domestic tournaments like the Quaid-e-Azam trophy (where he recently claimed his 16th five-wicket haul) will bolster his case.

Sajid Khan’s push into county cricket is a strategic move to evolve beyond a Test specialist. With red-ball dominance established, he’s chasing broader horizons—and with endorsements from legends like Afridi, the white-ball arena is now firmly in his sights.


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