Usama Mir Signs Three-Year T20 Deal with Worcestershire, Set to Qualify as Local Player from 2027

Usama Mir Signs Three-Year T20 Deal with Worcestershire, Set to Qualify as Local Player from 2027

Pakistan legspinner Usama Mir has signed a three-year T20 contract with Worcestershire, beginning in 2026. While he will feature as an overseas player in the first year, Mir is set to be registered as a local cricketer from 2027 onward, owing to his eligibility for UK naturalisation through his British spouse.

The deal marks a potential pause—if not the end—of Mir’s international career, which has been on a downward trajectory since April 2024, his last appearance for Pakistan. The 29-year-old was previously part of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) central contract system after intense negotiations in 2023 but was excluded from the list in 2024.

His move to Worcestershire comes after a tumultuous relationship with the PCB. In 2024, he was forced to miss the T20 Blast despite being signed by Worcestershire Rapids, as the PCB denied him a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) under their "PSL plus two" policy. The policy restricts Pakistani players from participating in more than two overseas T20 leagues within a 12-month period.

Despite those setbacks, Mir has been a sought-after player in T20 leagues around the world. He was the leading wicket-taker in the 2024 Pakistan Super League (PSL), and his performances in the BBL and the 2023 T20 Blast earned him recognition as one of the top legspinners on the franchise circuit. His consistent displays, particularly in the BBL where he ranked only behind Adam Zampa among legspinners, have boosted his global T20 credentials.

Speaking on the signing, Worcestershire CEO Ashley Giles expressed his delight:

“He’s a high-calibre cricketer with the skills and temperament to make a real impact at this level. 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.”

Although Mir has not formally retired from international cricket, the Worcestershire deal and his absence from the national setup suggest that a return to Pakistan colours is increasingly unlikely. However, ESPNcricinfo understands that he intends to continue playing domestic cricket in Pakistan until 2027. From then on, he will have to register as an overseas player in Pakistan’s domestic competitions due to his UK status.

Usama Mir’s journey reflects the growing trend of international cricketers seeking long-term stability and opportunity in overseas leagues, often at the cost of their national careers. For Worcestershire, however, his signing represents a strategic investment in talent and squad depth heading into the future.

You May Interested

> England Bowl First in Decider as India Make Four Changes at The Oval
> Nepal to Host Women's T20 World Cup 2026 Qualifier in January
> Healy Tweaks Wicketkeeping Technique Ahead of World Cup Return
> Nathan Lyon Says Jack Leach Still England’s Best Spinner Ahead of Ashes; Calls Bashir “Okay”
> Ayush Mhatre to Lead India U-19 in Multi-Format Tour of Australia; Suryavanshi, Malhotra Key Names in Squad
> Kemp’s Maiden Ton Powers Hampshire to Commanding Win Over The Blaze
> Capsey Leads Surrey to Victory Despite Perrin's Heroics for Warwickshire
> Abhishek Sharma Tops T20I Batting Rankings, Dethroning Travis Head
> ECB Extends Deadline Again as Oval Invincibles, Trent Rockets Deals Remain Pending
> Shubman Gill Backs Gambhir in Oval Pitch Dispute: “Coach Has Every Right to Inspect Wicket”
Indian Premier League 2025 | League
🕹️ 74 Matches 👥 12 Teams 📅 30 Apr, 2025 - 30 Apr, 2025
Pakistan Super League, 2025 | League
🕹️ 34 Matches 👥 8 Teams 📅 30 Apr, 2025 - 30 Apr, 2025
Tri-Nation Series in UAE, 2025 | Domestic
🕹️ 7 Matches 👥 5 Teams 📅 30 Apr, 2025 - 30 Apr, 2025
Womens World Cup Qualifier, 2025 | Women
🕹️ 15 Matches 👥 6 Teams 📅 19 Apr, 2025 - 19 Apr, 2025
England A Women tour of Australia, 2025 | Local
🕹️ 7 Matches 👥 0 Teams 📅 26 Mar, 2025 - 15 Apr, 2025
Kolkata National Cricket Club, 2025 | Local
🕹️ 33 Matches 👥 6 Teams 📅 11 Apr, 2025 - 11 Apr, 2025
County Championship Division One, 2025 | Domestic
🕹️ 35 Matches 👥 10 Teams 📅 30 Apr, 2025 - 30 Apr, 2025
Afghanistan U19 tour of Nepal, 2025 | Domestic
🕹️ 3 Matches 👥 2 Teams 📅 11 Apr, 2025 - 11 Apr, 2025
KCC T20 Challengers B League, 2025 | Local
🕹️ 33 Matches 👥 14 Teams 📅 30 Apr, 2025 - 30 Apr, 2025
Vincy Premier League, 2025 | Local
🕹️ 30 Matches 👥 8 Teams 📅 21 Apr, 2025 - 21 Apr, 2025
Melbourne T10 League, 2025 | Local
🕹️ 22 Matches 👥 7 Teams 📅 17 Apr, 2025 - 17 Apr, 2025
Quadrangular T20I Series in Hong Kong, China, 2025 | International
🕹️ 8 Matches 👥 6 Teams 📅 13 Apr, 2025 - 13 Apr, 2025
Uganda Women tour of Namibia, 2025 | Women
🕹️ 7 Matches 👥 2 Teams 📅 17 Apr, 2025 - 17 Apr, 2025
Major League Cricket 2025 | League
🕹️ 4 Matches 👥 6 Teams 📅 14 Jul, 2025 - 14 Jul, 2025
ECS Italy, Bologna, 2025 | Local
🕹️ 29 Matches 👥 10 Teams 📅 18 Apr, 2025 - 18 Apr, 2025