Derbyshire rope in Sufiyan Muqeem for Vitality Blast 2026

Derbyshire Falcons have signed Pakistan spinner Sufiyan Muqeem for the first half of the upcoming Vitality Blast season. 

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Sufiyan Muqeem Bowler

Sufiyan Muqeem is a young Pakistani left-arm wrist-spin bowler and left-handed batsman, born November 15, 1999, known for his unique bowling style, aggressive batting, and recent record-breaking T20I performance (5/3 vs.

Muqeem to fill in for IPL-bound Ghazanfar

The wrist spinner will play six games for the franchise as a cover for Afghanistan’s Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, who will take over in the second half of the tournament. Ghazanfar was the team’s leading wicket-taker in the last season and is set to miss the early part of the Vitality Blast due to IPL commitments. 

Sufiyan comes fresh off his short but impactful stay in the Bangladesh Premier League, where he played three games for Rangpur Riders. 

Arthur believes he is a ‘fantastic addition’

Derbyshire’s Head of Cricket, Mickey Arthur, who worked with Sufiyan while serving as Rangpur’s coach, praised the Pakistan spinner as a valuable addition to the side. 

“Sufyan is a rising star in T20 cricket and someone I’ve already had the pleasure of working with him, so I’ve seen his quality and resilience in pressure situations first-hand,” Arthur said. 

“When it comes to recruitment, the person matters just as much as the player and we’ve signed a gem in Sufyan. He’s hungry for success and I know he will be a fantastic addition to our team for the first half of the Vitality Blast.

“[Allah] Mohammad [Ghazanfar] continues to go from strength in his development and we’re pleased to welcome him back for the second half of the 2026 Vitality Blast.”

Sufiyan Muqeem will be part of the Falcons from their opening game on May 22 to June 7. During his time with the franchise, he will also feature in their East Midlands Derby game against Nottinghamshire on May 29. 

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