Former Pakistan captain Rizwan signs for St Kitts and Nevis Patriots

St Kitts and Nevis Patriots have pulled in a major name for this year’s CPL, signing former Pakistan T20I captain Mohammad Rizwan as a replacement for fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi. Farooqi is leaving to join Afghanistan ahead of the tri-series in the UAE involving Pakistan and the hosts.

It is not yet clear if Rizwan will make his debut in time for the Patriots’ clash with Barbados Royals on Thursday. But with Pakistan leaving him out of their T20 squad for both the tri-series and the Asia Cup, the way has been cleared for him to feature in the Caribbean. An NOC from the Pakistan Cricket Board is understood to be just a formality.

This is Rizwan’s first outing in the CPL, and he joins a growing list of Pakistan players spread across the competition. On Thursday, leg-spinner Usama Mir was confirmed for Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, while the Patriots already have Naseem Shah and Abbas Afridi in their squad. Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir and Salman Irshad are also part of this year’s tournament.

Rizwan’s signing will also count as his second overseas T20 league since July, the maximum allowed under PCB rules for centrally contracted players. Earlier this year, he was confirmed as a marquee signing for Melbourne Renegades in Australia’s Big Bash League.

The Patriots will be hoping his arrival brings a spark. After opening with a win, the side have slipped to three straight defeats and now sit second from bottom of the table. The franchise have tasted success before, lifting the CPL trophy in 2017 and again in 2021, and will be banking on Rizwan to help turn their campaign around.