Moqim replaces Ghazanfar for Falcons

Pakistan spinner, Sufyan Moqim, has joined Derbyshire Falcons for the remainder of the Men’s Vitality Blast, replacing Mohammad Ghazanfar.

Ghazanfar had been due to re-join the Falcons ahead of this Sunday’s fixture against Yorkshire, but the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) have withdrawn the player’s availability to manage his workload and as such, his stint with Derbyshire has been cancelled.

Moqim, who had originally been signed for the first half of the competition before being called-up for international duty, finished as the leading wicket-taker in the 2026 Pakistan Super League, as he lifted the trophy with Peshawar Zalmi.

With the Falcons sitting fourth in the North Group table, four points off second place, Moqim provides an injection of further international experience, alongside fellow countryman Akif Javed, while Caleb Jewell completes the trio of T20 overseas stars.

Head of Cricket, Mickey Arthur, said: “The nature of signing overseas players, with so many T20 leagues and international series happening concurrently, you have to be able to adapt and use your contacts to make the best of a situation.

“When we received word Mohammad wouldn’t be joining us, it was a blow, but we had good contact with Sufyan’s camp from our first dealings with him and we moved quickly to finalise a deal.

“Sufyan is a rising star in Pakistan, he’s come on leaps and bounds over the last couple of years and he will provide something completely different to our attack. I’m very excited to welcome him to Derbyshire.”

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