Star Pakistan cricketer signs three-year T20 deal with Worcestershire

Worcestershire County Cricket Club has confirmed the signing of Pakistan leg-spinner Usama Mir on a three-year T20 contract, starting from the 2026 season.

The club revealed that Mir will play as an overseas player in 2026 and will be eligible to feature as a local player from 2027 onwards under residency rules — a decision described as part of their “long-term strategic planning.”

“The first year of his contract will be as part of the club’s overseas player quota, while in years two and three, he will qualify as a local player due to residency regulations, a move that emphasises Worcestershire’s long-term strategic planning,” the club said in a statement.

This will be Mir’s second stint with Worcestershire, having played for the Rapids in 2023, where he impressed with strong performances in both batting and bowling, topping the team’s averages. He was expected to return in 2024 as well, but visa issues prevented his participation and he was eventually replaced by West Indies’ Hayden Walsh.

Worcestershire CEO Ashley Giles praised the signing, calling Usama a valuable addition to their squad.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Usama to Worcestershire. He’s a high-calibre cricketer with the skills and temperament to make a real impact at this level,” Giles said in the club’s statement.

“His ability to transition into a homegrown player from 2027 gives us great flexibility in squad planning and shows our commitment to building a competitive team for the long term,” he added.

Mir, 29, has represented Pakistan in five T20 Internationals and 12 One-Day Internationals. He is a familiar name on the global T20 circuit, having featured in leagues such as the Big Bash League (BBL), The Hundred in England, and the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Across 156 T20 matches, Mir has taken 178 wickets at an average of 22.94 and an economy rate of 7.70. He has also scored 491 runs in the format.