Pakistan spinner earns Hundred call-up as Oval Invincibles strengthen squad

The 30-year-old left-arm spinner has taken 11 wickets in 12 Vitality Blast matches at an economy rate of 9.00

PHOTO: X

Pakistan spinner Zafar Gohar has been picked by the Oval Invincibles as part of the wildcard draft for The Hundred 2025, boosting their bowling options ahead of the upcoming tournament.

The 30-year-old left-arm spinner, currently playing for Middlesex, has performed consistently in the ongoing Vitality Blast. He has taken 11 wickets in 12 matches at an economy rate of 9.00. Gohar has also featured in 82 T20s overall, claiming 85 wickets at an economy of 7.88.

Though he has limited international experience — with just one Test and one ODI appearance for Pakistan — Gohar has been a reliable performer in domestic cricket. In 93 first-class matches, he has taken 327 wickets at an economy of 3.10, including 21 five-wicket hauls.

Meanwhile, the biggest news from the men's wildcard draft was the inclusion of veteran England fast bowler James Anderson, who will make his debut in The Hundred this summer with Manchester Originals. The 42-year-old, who returned to T20 cricket after 11 years, earned his spot through strong form in the Vitality Blast, picking up 14 wickets in eight games for Lancashire. He was signed for £31,000 after going undrafted in March.

In another notable pick, 17-year-old Rocky Flintoff, son of former England captain Andrew Flintoff, was drafted by the Northern Superchargers. Despite not having played professional T20 cricket, Rocky impressed selectors with centuries for the England Lions and the U-19 side against India.

Elsewhere, Southern Brave became the first team to select an overseas wildcard by signing Australia’s Hilton Cartwright. They also brought in Hampshire’s Toby Albert, possibly as a wicketkeeping option due to injury concerns over Finn Allen and Laurie Evans.

Welsh Fire picked Glamorgan all-rounder Ben Kellaway following a standout county season, while Trent Rockets added Ben Sanderson, Callum Parkinson, and Dillon Pennington — the latter as an injury replacement for John Turner.

In the women’s wildcard draft, Manchester Originals selected Esmae MacGregor after her impressive 19-wickets in the T20 Blast for Essex. Birmingham Phoenix signed Mary Taylor, reuniting her with her twin sister Millie.

The Hundred 2025 kicks off on August 5 with a double-header between London Spirit and Oval Invincibles at Lord’s.

Men's Hundred wildcards (all £31,000):