Derbyshire Falcons have signed Afghanistan’s young spin sensation, Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, for the upcoming T20 Blast campaign.
The 18-year-old, who made his Test debut last year, earned a place in the ICC Men’s ODI Team of the Year for 2024.
His performances with the white ball have been exceptional, claiming 21 international wickets at an average of 13.57, including a standout 6-26 against Bangladesh.
Derbyshire’s head of cricket, Mickey Arthur, described Ghazanfar’s signing as an exciting move, anticipating a bright future for the young spinner.
Meanwhile, Northamptonshire has retained Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal for another stint in the County Championship and One-Day Cup.
The 34-year-old will be available from June 22 until the end of September. Last season, he played four Championship matches, securing 19 wickets at an average of 21.
His standout performances included a career-best 9-99 against Derbyshire, followed by a crucial contribution against Leicestershire.
Chahal expressed his enthusiasm about returning, highlighting the positive dressing room atmosphere at Northamptonshire.
Head coach Darren Lehmann welcomed his comeback, calling him one of the best leg-spinners in the world.
His return follows the recent signing of Australian left-arm bowler Liam Guthrie, who joined the club on a three-year deal.
With these signings, both Derbyshire and Northamptonshire have bolstered their spin departments ahead of the new season, aiming for strong domestic campaigns.