Middlesex Cricket Sign All-Rounder Zafar Gohar on Long-Term Contract

Middlesex Cricket is thrilled to announce the signing of talented all-rounder Zafar Gohar, who officially joins the Club with immediate effect, on a contract that will see him play until the conclusion of the 2026 season. The Lahore-born left-arm spinner brings with him a diverse skill set and substantial experience, having proudly represented Pakistan in both Test and One Day International formats, showcasing his versatility on the international stage.

Gohar’s arrival at Middlesex follows a productive four-year stint with Gloucestershire, where he made a notable impact and became a prominent figure in the domestic cricket scene. Now, as a qualified local cricketer, he will possess the eligibility to participate in all three formats of the game for Middlesex, thereby greatly enhancing the team’s overall depth and strategic versatility moving forward.

In the white-ball formats, Gohar has an impressive record, having appeared in 160 matches and achieving a remarkable tally of 199 wickets. His standout performances include remarkable figures of 5 for 56 in List A cricket and an outstanding 4 for 14 in T20 matches. During his tenure with Gloucestershire, he competed in 34 first-class matches, successfully capturing 118 wickets with his best performance recorded as 6 for 43, further solidifying his reputation as a formidable bowler.

Middlesex’s Managing Director of Cricket, Alan Coleman, conveyed his excitement regarding the acquisition, remarking, “Zafar is a player that we have admired for some time now and have been keeping a watchful eye on. We are delighted to have secured his services as a local cricketer for the next two seasons, which we believe will greatly benefit our squad.”

“In Championship cricket, we have identified the necessity to bolster our wicket-taking threat across all conditions, and the inclusion of an international-quality spinner like Zafar will fortify our lineup and amplify our effectiveness on various types of surfaces. Furthermore, adding a seasoned bowler to our white-ball teams will also assist the side in crucial situations, particularly where we’ve sought more experience in shorter formats in recent years.”

Coleman further emphasized the significant value of Gohar’s experience, especially for the club’s younger spinners: “The addition of someone like Zafar to our squad adds not only quality but also invaluable experience. Our young spinners will benefit enormously from having him in the playing group, as it provides them with a unique opportunity to learn from a player of his caliber. We are excited to see what Zafar can achieve with Middlesex and are thrilled to have him on board.”

Expressing his enthusiasm about the move, Zafar Gohar shared, “I’m thrilled to be joining Middlesex and making Lord’s my home ground for the next two years. It’s a club steeped in history and rich tradition, and to be a part of this next chapter is immensely exciting. The chance to contribute to both the red-ball and white-ball teams played a pivotal role in my decision to make Middlesex my home, and I eagerly anticipate playing my part in what I hope will be a successful 2025 for the club.”

**Interview with Alan Coleman,‌ Managing Director‌ of Cricket ⁣at Middlesex, on the Signing of Zafar Gohar**

**Interviewer:** Alan, thank you for joining us. Exciting ⁣news⁢ today with ​Zafar Gohar signing for Middlesex. What made him stand out to the club during the selection process?

**Alan⁣ Coleman:** Thank you for ‍having⁣ me! Zafar ‍is an exceptional talent, and his versatility ‌as an all-rounder really caught our attention. His ⁤experience on the international stage with Pakistan and his impressive domestic record with Gloucestershire indicate that he can significantly contribute across all formats of the game. We believe he brings depth to our bowling attack and adds a strong⁢ batting ‌option lower down the order.

**Interviewer:** Zafar’s statistics in both white-ball and first-class cricket are impressive. How do you see him fitting into the team dynamic at Middlesex?

**Alan ‌Coleman:** Zafar’s ability to bowl effectively in all formats and his ‍proficiency with the bat will create strategic options for our lineup. His recent experience and success in the domestic circuit will not only⁢ strengthen our competition‍ but also foster a competitive ⁤spirit within the squad. I’m confident he’ll mesh well with our existing players.

**Interviewer:** He has a remarkable record, especially in white-ball cricket. What role do‌ you envision him playing in the ​team’s ‍plans for the upcoming seasons?

**Alan Coleman:** Particularly in the white-ball formats, ⁢Zafar can​ be a game-changer for us. His wicket-taking ability and economical bowling will be vital in critical situations. We see him contributing significantly in T20s and One Day matches. Furthermore, his experience can be invaluable to our younger ​players, aiding them in their⁢ development.

**Interviewer:** With Zafar being a qualified local cricketer, how will that benefit the team structure moving forward?

**Alan ‌Coleman:** It opens up more tactical ⁣options for us. His status as a local player allows us to rotate our squad more‌ flexibly without the overseas player restrictions. This is crucial, especially during busy periods of the season. It enhances our strategic depth ⁣and provides more opportunities for ⁣planning and development.

**Interviewer:** what message do you want to convey to Middlesex fans as Zafar joins the club?

**Alan Coleman:** To our fans, I want to express that we are genuinely excited about having Zafar onboard.‌ His passion for the game and dedication to teamwork is something that aligns perfectly⁣ with our club values. We believe he​ will become ⁣a fan favorite in no time, and I encourage everyone to ‍welcome him as he integrates into the Middlesex family.

**Interviewer:** Thank you so much for your insights, Alan. We look forward to seeing Zafar Gohar in action for Middlesex!

**Alan ‌Coleman:**​ Thank you! We’re just ​as eager‍ to see him perform on the field.