Star Pakistan player joins Nottinghamshire for 2026 English domestic season

Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Ali has signed a short-term, multi-format deal with Nottinghamshire for the final two months of the 2026 English domestic season.

The 33-year-old seamer is set to arrive at the start of August and will be available for selection in both the Rothesay County Championship and the Metro Bank One Day Cup.

Ali brings significant experience, having taken 340 wickets across his professional career, including eight at international level. 

He made his most recent appearance for Pakistan during his ODI debut against New Zealand in March last year. Overall, Ali has represented Pakistan in four Tests, three T20Is and one One-Day International.

“I have always wanted to play county cricket and gain experience of English conditions, so I am really excited to have this opportunity,” Ali said. 

“Trent Bridge is a world-famous ground, and I’m looking forward to playing there and helping Nottinghamshire achieve success. The chance to feature in both red-ball and white-ball cricket at an important stage of the season is something I’m really excited about.”

Ali is already familiar with the Trent Bridge coaching setup, having played under Nottinghamshire assistant head coach Paul Franks during the 2022–23 Pakistani domestic season with Central Punjab. 

In that campaign’s Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Pakistan’s premier first-class competition, Ali finished as the fifth-highest wicket-taker, claiming 24 wickets at an average of 25.54. 

He also played a key role in Central Punjab’s domestic 50-over title triumph, taking six wickets in five matches, including figures of 2 for 31 in the final.

Franks praised Ali’s character and professionalism, saying the relationship built during their time together in Pakistan had kept the bowler firmly on Nottinghamshire’s radar.

“It was Mohammad’s character and personality that really stood out to me when I coached him in Pakistan,” Franks said. 

“We’ve stayed in close contact since then and explored opportunities to bring him to the club previously. This move felt right for both him and us, and he’s a real pleasure to work with.”

Meanwhile, wicketkeeper-batter Sam Whiteman has joined Yorkshire on a three-year, all-format deal after leaving Western Australia.

The 33-year-old, who was born in Doncaster before emigrating to Australia at the age of three, has enjoyed a highly successful domestic career. 

He has scored 6,930 runs in 119 first-class matches, including 17 centuries, and captained Western Australia to Sheffield Shield titles in 2023 and 2024, having also played a key role in their 2022 triumph. 

Whiteman has also won three Big Bash League titles with Perth Scorchers.

Whiteman previously impressed during a spell with Northamptonshire in 2023, where he averaged over 37 and registered two centuries and three half-centuries. 

Holding a British passport, he will represent Yorkshire as a local domestic player.