Faheem Ashraf joins Yorkshire for T20 Blast 2025, replacing injured Sutherland
Synopsis
Pakistan's Faheem Ashraf — only the second PSL player to score 1,000 runs and take 100 wickets — lands at Headingley as Yorkshire's emergency overseas signing after Will Sutherland's shoulder injury. With 85 T20I caps and county experience at Northamptonshire and Sussex, he is a ready-made replacement, and his availability for June's County Championship rounds gives Yorkshire a rare bonus from an injury-forced reshuffle.
Key Takeaways
Faheem Ashraf , 32 , has been signed by Yorkshire as an overseas replacement for the T20 Blast 2025 (26 May – 18 July).
He replaces uncapped Australian Will Sutherland , ruled out with a shoulder injury .
Ashraf holds 85 T20I caps , with 61 wickets and 594 runs at a strike rate of 137.18 for Pakistan.
He is only the second player in PSL history to complete 1,000 runs and 100 wickets .
Ashraf will also feature in two County Championship rounds in June; Yorkshire open against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge on 22 May .
Pakistan seam-bowling all-rounder Faheem Ashraf has been signed by Yorkshire as a replacement for the T20 Blast 2025, scheduled from 26 May to 18 July. Ashraf, 32, steps in for uncapped Australian all-rounder Will Sutherland, who has been ruled out of the tournament with a shoulder injury. Beyond the T20 competition, Ashraf is also set to play in two rounds of the County Championship in June.
Ashraf's Arrival and First Assignment
Ashraf is expected to arrive at Headingley ahead of Yorkshire's opening T20 Blast fixture against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge on 22 May. The signing gives Yorkshire an immediate boost in their overseas recruitment, with the Pakistan veteran bringing proven short-format pedigree to the northern county's campaign. Somerset are the defending T20 Blast champions, having claimed their third title in the previous season.
What Ashraf Brings to the Squad
Ashraf has accumulated 85 T20 International caps for Pakistan, claiming 61 wickets at an average of 25.23 and scoring 594 runs at a strike rate of 137.18. He has also represented his country in 17 Tests and 45 ODIs. His county cricket experience spans stints with Northamptonshire and Sussex, while he has also featured in the Big Bash League and the Bangladesh Premier League.
Notably, Ashraf recently became only the second player in Pakistan Super League history to complete the double of 1,000 runs and 100 wickets — a milestone that underlines his value as a genuine match-winner in both disciplines.
What the Club and Player Said
'I'm delighted to be joining Yorkshire. Many of my fellow Pakistan players have represented the Club and have spoken highly of both the environment and the quality of players within the squad. I'm really looking forward to arriving at Headingley,' Ashraf said in a statement issued by the club on Thursday.
Yorkshire's general manager of cricket Gavin Hamilton also welcomed the acquisition, saying: 'Faheem is an experienced multi-format player who will be a really valuable addition to the squad. He brings a great ability to score quick, lower order runs as well as the skill to make a real impact with the ball.'
Context and What to Watch
Sutherland's injury is a setback for Yorkshire's depth planning, but Ashraf's profile — a lower-order hitter and seam bowling threat — maps closely onto the role the Australian was expected to fill. This is the second consecutive season in which Yorkshire have had to make a mid-recruitment adjustment to their overseas slot ahead of the Blast. With the tournament's group stage running through July, Ashraf's availability for the County Championship rounds in June adds further flexibility. How he adapts to English conditions early in the summer will be a key indicator of Yorkshire's knockout prospects.
Point of View
But it also highlights a structural vulnerability in county overseas planning — a single injury to an uncapped player forces a complete rethink. Ashraf is a genuine upgrade in T20 pedigree, yet English conditions in May are a known leveller for pace all-rounders more accustomed to subcontinental or Australian surfaces. The more interesting subplot is whether his PSL milestone form — 1,000 runs and 100 wickets — translates into the Blast's high-pressure knockout rounds, where Yorkshire have historically underperformed relative to their squad quality.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Faheem Ashraf joined Yorkshire?
Faheem Ashraf has joined Yorkshire as a replacement overseas signing for the T20 Blast 2025 after Australian all-rounder Will Sutherland was ruled out with a shoulder injury. Ashraf, a Pakistan international with 85 T20I caps, fills the all-rounder slot for the tournament running from 26 May to 18 July.
When does Faheem Ashraf make his Yorkshire debut?
Ashraf is set to arrive at Headingley ahead of Yorkshire's first T20 Blast match against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge on 22 May 2025. He will also play in two County Championship rounds in June.
What is Faheem Ashraf's T20 record?
In 85 T20 Internationals for Pakistan, Ashraf has taken 61 wickets at an average of 25.23 and scored 594 runs at a strike rate of 137.18. He has also played 17 Tests and 45 ODIs for his country.
What is Faheem Ashraf's PSL milestone?
Ashraf recently became only the second player in Pakistan Super League history to score 1,000 runs and take 100 wickets, cementing his status as one of the format's leading all-rounders.
Who are the defending T20 Blast champions?
Somerset are the defending T20 Blast champions, having won their third title in the previous season. They will be among the sides Yorkshire face in the 2025 edition of the competition.
