Somerset sign Babar Azam

Somerset County Cricket Club are delighted to be able to announce that the ICC’s IT20 number one ranked batsman Babar Azam will be joining the Club for this year’s Vitality Blast, subject to the Club obtaining the appropriate visa/NOC clearance.

The 24-year-old Pakistan batsman made his International T20 debut against England in 2016. Since then he has gone on to feature in 29 matches in the format, scoring over 1180 runs at an average of 53.72 with a best of 97 not out and a strike rate of 127.78.

Babar Azam will be available for all 14 Vitality Blast group matches plus the quarter-final. His availability for Finals Day would be dependent on his international commitments with Pakistan.

Somerset CCC Director of Cricket, Andy Hurry said: “To be able to sign a player of the calibre of Babar Azam is tremendously exciting. He is a proven performer at the very highest level and that is highlighted by the fact that he is the top rated international T20 batsman in the world.

“Obviously, everyone wants to sign a world class performer, but we feel that continuity of selection is equally important. For us it is about securing the services of someone as talented as Babar Azam for more than just a handful of fixtures.”

After agreeing to join Somerset, Babar Azam said: “I am looking forward to the new challenge that playing T20 cricket in England will bring. I have heard good things about Somerset from Azhar Ali and I want to play a part in the Club winning matches. I know that Somerset get good support and I hope that I can give them something to cheer about this year.”