James Vince to skip County Championship 2025 for PSL 10

‘I also need to understand what is best for my family,’ says Vince

January 15, 2025
Karachi Kings' James Vince in action during PSL 8 match against Lahore Qalandars in Karachi on February 19, 2023. — PSL

KARACHI: England’s top-order batter James Vince has decided to skip this year’s County Championship to partake in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 10, international media reported on Wednesday.

The 33-year-old made the decision to counter England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) new policy regarding the No-Objection Certificates (NOC), which prohibits players participating in overseas leagues during the English summer, including the PSL, Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and Major League Cricket (MLC), with the notable exception of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Vince, who was retained by former champions Karachi Kings in the diamond category for the PSL 10, will continue to lead Hamphsire’s T20 side but has relinquished the club’s captaincy after a nine-year stint besides taking no part in the County Championship, scheduled this summer.

"I love Hampshire. It's been my club and home for 16 years, so I want to be able to maintain my best to keep delivering for Hampshire in T20 cricket, and hopefully even further our success in the competition [the Blast]. I also need to understand what is best for my family, and combine that with the stage of my career I am at," Vince said.

"I am so grateful to everyone at Utilita Bowl for supporting me last year through a really tough time, and for allowing me to make this next step," he added.

Furthermore, the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision to reschedule the PSL to April-May window to accommodate the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, also played a part in James Vince’s decision as the league’s schedule for this year coincides with England’s domestic tournaments.

The right-handed batter has played 216 first-class matches in his glittering career and scored 13340 runs at an average of 40.18 with the help of 30 centuries and 58 half-centuries.

He also represented England in 13 Tests, 25 ODIs and 17 T20Is, with his last international appearance for the Three Lions coming in the 50-over format in 2023 against Bangladesh.

The report further states that another English batter Tom Kohler-Cadmore, who was roped in by Peshawar Zalmi in platinum category at the PSL 10 player draft, held on Monday, may follow Vince’s footsteps in prioritising PSL.

Faizan Lakhani is Deputy Editor (Sports) at Geo News.

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