Derbyshire name Javed as replacement for Sufiyan Muqeem in Vitality Blast 2026

Derbyshire Falcons have roped in young Pakistan pacer Akif Javed as a replacement for Sufiyan Muqeem. Muqeem was signed earlier by the franchise to play the first six games as cover for Afghanistan’s Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, who had to pull out of the first half of the tournament due to his IPL commitments. 

However, the Pakistan spinner has now made himself unavailable due to international duty.

Akif’s impressive PSL campaign

Akif comes off an impressive stint with Hyderabad Kingsmen during the Pakistan Super League (PSL), where he grabbed 12 wickets in eight games at an average of 19.66. He has previously worked with Derbyshire head of cricket Mickey Arthur during the Bangladesh Premier League and Abu Dhabi T10.

“Javed, 25, has experience of playing under Mickey Arthur through spells with Rangpur Riders in the Bangladesh Premier League and Ajman Titans in the 2025 Abu Dhabi T10, where he was among the competition’s leading wicket-takers,” the statement read.

“He replaces Sufiyan Muqeem, who will be unable to fulfil his planned stint for the first half of the competition due to a recent change to international commitments,” it added.

Replacing a spinner with a pacer comes on the back of a host of injuries that have affected the franchise, especially within the pace department. Arthur said the injuries forced them to “reassess their team balance,” which is why they went for Javed.

Arthur explains Derbyshire’s decision

“With Pat Brown and Harry Moore currently out with injury, and Luis Reece unable to bowl, we have elected to add some international quality to our pace attack and some variation with Akif being a left-armer,” he stated.

The Vitality Blast 2026 is set to be played from May 22 to July 18.

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