Leicestershire Foxes sign Sharjeel Khan for 2017 NatWest T20 Blast

[MenInG]

Leicestershire CCC is delighted to announce that dynamic Pakistan international white ball opening batsman Sharjeel Khan is joining as the Foxes’ second overseas player for NatWest T20 Blast in 2017.

The left-hander has a hugely impressive T20 career record having scored 1,712 runs at an average of 27.17 with a strike rate of 141.83. Sharjeel has maintained that terrific strike rate in 11 international T20 matches and is part of the Pakistan T20 squad who are facing England at Emirates Old Trafford today.

Sharjeel recently recorded a stunning 152 in a One Day International in Ireland, his century coming off only 62 balls, and made a good contribution in the ODI series against England. His best score was a dazzling 58 off just 30 balls in the exciting game at Trent Bridge where Alex Hales posted England’s highest ever ODI score.

The 27-year-old has a fine career record in all formats and will be a familiar face for Leicestershire supporters having batted well during the game between Pakistan A and Sri Lanka A at the FCG in July.

Leicestershire CCC Chief Executive Wasim Khan MBE said: “I am aware that there was keen interest from other counties, so I am delighted that we have managed to secure someone of Sharjeel’s ability for the duration of the 2017 NatWest T20 Blast campaign.

"He is a powerful hitter who will offer us another option as a T20 opener. We have been watching Sharjeel closely this summer, where he has caught the eye of many with his dynamic ball striking."

Sharjeel said: “It has been an ambition of mine to play county cricket and I would like to thank Leicestershire County Cricket Club for this great opportunity.

“A number of fine Pakistan batsmen have played for Leicestershire over the years including Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq and Umar Akmal, and I’m pleased to be following in their footsteps.”

http://www.leicestershireccc.co.uk/...es-sign-international-star-sharjeel-kjan.html

 

[LowKiiSavage]

Don't think Sharjeel would ever make it big due to the obvious lack of offside game and thus him being a leg side hack. However, if he does I will be really happy for him and Pakistan cricket.

 

[street cricketer]

Sharjeel is gonna blast the Natwest T20 tournament!

 

[Syed1]

I hope the Leicester coaches keep practicing him on the off-side..

 

[dauntless]

So he takes umar's place??or umar will still play for them in next season I m confused!!!!

 

[Slog]

Don't think Sharjeel would ever make it big due to the obvious lack of offside game and thus him being a leg side hack. However, if he does I will be really happy for him and Pakistan cricket.

he doesnt need to become a world class player as long as he does a decent job for us

Decent job = 30+ avg @ 100+ SR in ODIs, 25+ avg @ 125+ SR in T20s

There's a reason why there is interest among counties for him (Essex wanted him after A series but he was selected for the ODI series)

 

[MenInG]

Our best wishes to Sharjeel

 

[Slog]

he doesnt need to become a world class player as long as he does a decent job for us

Decent job = 30+ avg @ 100+ SR in ODIs, 25+ avg @ 125+ SR in T20s

There's a reason why there is interest among counties for him (Essex wanted him after A series but he was selected for the ODI series)

on second thoughts

these stats would be amazing for us, not just a decent job

 

[Hawkeye]

Mark my words.

He's going to really announce himself in the T20 blast, by blasting all bowlers out of the park on a consistent basis.

As an Eng county bowler, I'd be very scared bowling at him.

 

[Deception]

I really hope this Sharjeel khan understands his value and potential, gets rid of his belly be more fit and improves his game play.
I don't know why everytime i see i feel like he isn't a hard working dude,seriously how tough is it for a professional sportsmen to loose his belly?

 

[Slog]

I really hope this Sharjeel khan understands his value and potential, gets rid of his belly be more fit and improves his game play.
I don't know why everytime i see i feel like he isn't a hard working dude,seriously how tough is it for a professional sportsmen to loose his belly?

Yes i hope he realizes that he has a rare gift among Pakistani batsmen

ofcourse he'll never be some technically correct, compact and dynamic batsman and its stupid to expect him to be that ever

But what he can do is that he should work hard on the controllables.

Fitness is key. The Army camp seemed to have had a positive influence on his physique and he actually did look fitter than ever before. But it seems in the weeks and month since that he has pounded on the neharis and paayes and has regained a lot of weight. He needs to not only work hard on his fitness but pay special attention to his diet.

Secondly he needs to tighten his technique a little bit in order to atleast be able to negotiate some movement and develop some get-out shots for the offside. I think it was a great decision to send him on the A tour to England though he did not show as much progress as he would have liked and certainly didn't used the FC games to full effect. Should have just taken his time and worked on basics. Did have a good Limited overs leg of the A tour and though he didn't put the numbers we would have liked in the international series' , I think he did look better and more compact than he looked in the previous one day outings in 2013 or so

 

[the Great Khan]

gonna get tickets for this next year definitely..if I go i'll report back to PP..

 

[Deception]

Yes i hope he realizes that he has a rare gift among Pakistani batsmen

ofcourse he'll never be some technically correct, compact and dynamic batsman and its stupid to expect him to be that ever

But what he can do is that he should work hard on the controllables.

Fitness is key. The Army camp seemed to have had a positive influence on his physique and he actually did look fitter than ever before. But it seems in the weeks and month since that he has pounded on the neharis and paayes and has regained a lot of weight. He needs to not only work hard on his fitness but pay special attention to his diet.

Secondly he needs to tighten his technique a little bit in order to atleast be able to negotiate some movement and develop some get-out shots for the offside. I think it was a great decision to send him on the A tour to England though he did not show as much progress as he would have liked and certainly didn't used the FC games to full effect. Should have just taken his time and worked on basics. Did have a good Limited overs leg of the A tour and though he didn't put the numbers we would have liked in the international series' , I think he did look better and more compact than he looked in the previous one day outings in 2013 or so

Brother put his batting aside, its really disappointing to see him like this (belly) i mean you are representing a country so many people are watching you how can you be so unprofessional.
Such a disgrace i don't mind him out of pakistan team, need fitter guys. I just love how Azhar Ali changed himself so much leaner fitter.

 

[Abdullah]

Our best wishes to Sharjeel

Absolutely. Let's hope he improves his offside game and he will be quite lethal

 

[#GreenRoars]

Good luck for him, hope he will improve more.

 

[street cricketer]

Secondly he needs to tighten his technique a little bit in order to atleast be able to negotiate some movement and develop some get-out shots for the offside. I think it was a great decision to send him on the A tour to England though he did not show as much progress as he would have liked and certainly didn't used the FC games to full effect. Should have just taken his time and worked on basics. Did have a good Limited overs leg of the A tour and though he didn't put the numbers we would have liked in the international series' , I think he did look better and more compact than he looked in the previous one day outings in 2013 or so

Agreed. I can see the English pacers bowling a fuller length and just around the off stump to him tonight.

He should adapt to the difference in approach from the English pacers.

 

[wasimjunior]

Not sure why people are so hellbent on him losing weight.

We saw the effect it had on inzy and nasir jamshed.

 

[pasha404]

Best wishes.hope he will improve his game and serve Pakistan for many years to come.

 

[Prince of Pakistan]

I would rather have had Umar Akmal.

 

[pak4life]

Surprised none of the bigger counties went for him. One of the best timers of the ball going. The way he plays he will get out cheaply but also win a few matches.

 

[proud_pakistani]

I expect him to score 20-25 consistently with the odd 50 at a SR at 120 which will be good for them. I hope he can pick up good fitness habits and more discipline playing in England.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

He'll win them games, great signing for them. His game will also improve as a result.

 

[hadi123]

Not sure why people are so hellbent on him losing weight.

We saw the effect it had on inzy and nasir jamshed.

losing weight isn't just good for you from a cricketing point of view. Many health benefits. Would you rather be a good cricketer or not die at the age of 50 due to obesity

 

[yasir]

Agreed. I can see the English pacers bowling a fuller length and just around the off stump to him tonight.

He should adapt to the difference in approach from the English pacers.

This is his weakness, not something impossible to fix. I would like coach to have him practice 100 balls a day in that channel. Both full and good length outside the off stump, he should improve...He need to make technical adjustment, to play those ball. He has some strong assets, he plays length ball very well(leg, middle or off stump). I am curious to see how he deal with his weakness in next couple of series, that will define his future... What works in his favor that now a days ball does not move side ways in most LOI matches anywhere in the world...

He has improved his game significantly in last 12 months, his cut and pull has gone a notch above a level, there is more method and better technique to it, he should be able to take the next step. Mentally he seams to be more sensible and clam than guys like Afridi or Umar Akmal.

 

[SuperKhan]

Fantastic move for Sharjeel and surely the English game will only improve him. Good news for Pakistan.

 

[srh]

he doesnt need to become a world class player as long as he does a decent job for us

Decent job = 30+ avg @ 100+ SR in ODIs, 25+ avg @ 125+ SR in T20s

There's a reason why there is interest among counties for him (Essex wanted him after A series but he was selected for the ODI series)

these are not a decent job numbers; these are world class job numbers; man you are so much out of loop

 

[Slog]

these are not a decent job numbers; these are world class job numbers; man you are so much out of loop

Read the post below it

Open your eyes

PS: still wouldn't call them world class

 

[shaz619]

I like how [MENTION=138463]Slog[/MENTION] is excited about Sharjeel because I am excited about him to and it reinforces my excitement. He needs to be persisted with, the only dynamic bat we have at the moment; with time he will improve hopefully playing in a variety of conditions against different types of opponent will aid his development immensely at the international level which is the best place to learn.

The T20 Blast in England is of a very high quality, it's the tournament which produced the likes of Hales/Roy who were widely considered to be hacks across the board before the think tank changed their attitudes towards batsman of their aura. It will be a great challenge for Sharjeel and a great opportunity for him to learn and gain invaluable experience.

 

[Slog]

I like how [MENTION=138463]Slog[/MENTION] is excited about Sharjeel because I am excited about him to and it reinforces my excitement. He needs to be persisted with, the only dynamic bat we have at the moment; with time he will improve hopefully playing in a variety of conditions against different types of opponent will aid his development immensely at the international level which is the best place to learn.

The T20 Blast in England is of a very high quality, it's the tournament which produced the likes of Hales/Roy who were widely considered to be hacks across the board before the think tank changed their attitudes towards batsman of their aura. It will be a great challenge for Sharjeel and a great opportunity for him to learn and gain invaluable experience.

Good to see him do well

He needs to be given support and confidence and try to take out some errors from his game without trying to change or overhaul his technique or style

 

[Anik Sharma]

Best wishes to Sharjeel

 

[Ashraful_Rox]

Best of luck to Sharjeel, he is one exciting batsman

 

[The_KING]

Good signing for Leicestershire.

 

[Suleiman]

Sharjeel Khan in Natwest t20 blast, IPL?

Heard Nasser Hussain talking about a lot of talk in England's t20 friends for life natwest blast about this boy Sharjeel Khan. Looks like he has pulled the right strings in LOIs and now heads are turning to recruit him in lucrative t20 leagues.

Tensions are still high between Pakistan and India, but I remember in the champions league t20 in 2014 IIRC where the Mumbai Indians manager came up to Shehzad and was taking interest.

Sharjeel is 10x the opener Shehzad is, so I think cash will start flowing in now for him Insh Allah.

 

[Finisher]

Sharjeel
Umar Akmal
Imad Wasim
M.Amir

These guys are going to be in demand for t20 leagues around the world.

Sarfraz could possibly get himself a county contract, the English pundits have rated him very highly.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

pakistan players in IPL is never happening, we need to get over it. If the snubbed us after we won the t20 WC despite owners saying they wanted us, then they will always snub us

 

[Bade496]

[MENTION=136729]Suleiman[/MENTION]

All the very best to Sharjeel for playing for leicestershire and leagues all over the world but bro I think its time for fans to loose their silly IPL-fixation. This is actually pathetic and downright offensive for any Pak team fan with a spine.

 

[shane]

Leicester finished bottom of the league this year. They can expect a repeat of that if they are going to keep signing hacks. Sharjeel is not a good player, it is really that simple.

 

[supersix]

Leicester finished bottom of the league this year. They can expect a repeat of that if they are going to keep signing hacks. Sharjeel is not a good player, it is really that simple.

for the longer format he may not be good, but a fine player for the shorter formats...

 

[shane]

for the longer format he may not be good, but a fine player for the shorter formats...

Maybe for the shortest format he may be adequate. But I doubt even that.

 

[Rayyman]

Hope he can speak english.

 

[Saj]

Leicestershire monitoring this very closely. Could be curtains for this deal!

 

[MenInG]

Leicestershire CCC are delighted to announce that New Zealand international Luke Ronchi has signed for the Foxes in the NatWest T20 Blast for 2017. Luke will be available for all 14 group games.

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

What an absolute idiot. He would have been a millionaire by the time he retired.

 

[Slog]

What an idiot

Stupid boy

I was genuinely shattered

 

[nighthawk23]

hahaha Ronchi is absolute trash

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

hahaha Ronchi is absolute trash

At least he's honest.

 

[aloo paratha]

What a downgrade... Stupid Sharjeel...

 

[Hasan123]

Lol what is really worth it now sharjeel?

 

[Markhor]

What a waste.