LONDON, July 22: English county Worcestershire rewarded Pakistan-born seam bowler Imran Arif for his excellent County Championship debut with a two-year contract starting next season.

Imran recorded match figures of 7-131 on his first outing for his new County as they beat Glamorgan by ten wickets at New Road.

Imran, who was plucked out of Bradford League, will continue to play as an overseas player this season as he waits to obtain a British passport for the contract to be sealed.

That should not be problem for Imran who is married to a British citizen and waiting for paperwork to be finalised.

“It is a dream come true. I feel like I’m at home with Worcester, it is really good place,” Imran said.

Imran, playing for second XI for the past two seasons and being a leading wicket-taker in Bradford League, came to Worcester thinking he was just in the city for second team matches.

But the Director of Cricket Steve Rhodes told him to stay as there was a chance he could play in a four-day match against Glamorgan. Imran took five for 50 in the first innings and picked up two more wickets as Glamorgan followed on.—Agencies

Opinion

Editorial

Centre vs provinces
Updated 10 Jun, 2026

Centre vs provinces

The reason the centre finds itself in this position is rooted in its failure to expand the tax net and boost revenues.
Party in crisis
10 Jun, 2026

Party in crisis

THE young KP chief minister must be starting to realise just how thorny a seat he occupies. There has been a flurry...
Varsity woes
10 Jun, 2026

Varsity woes

FINANCIAL crises affecting public sector universities across Pakistan are now having an impact on academic...
Doctor attacked
09 Jun, 2026

Doctor attacked

AN act of reprehensible violence has shaken the medical community. On Saturday, an employee of the Provincial Civil...
AJK flare-up
Updated 09 Jun, 2026

AJK flare-up

The situation started deteriorating after a trader affiliated with the JAAC was reportedly shot in an altercation with law-enforcers.
Fault lines
09 Jun, 2026

Fault lines

THE April 8 ceasefire that halted hostilities between Israel and Iran has encountered its most serious test yet....