Nottinghamshire Signs Mohammad Abbas for County Championship 2025

Peter Moores, the head coach at Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club (CCC), has voiced his enthusiasm about securing Pakistani fast bowler Mohammad Abbas for the 2025 County Championship season. Moores highlighted Abbas’s attributes, describing him as a player who embodies “consistency, control, and a genuine passion for cricket.”

Speaking from Trent Bridge, Moores lauded Abbas’s proficiency in delivering parsimonious spells and his mastery of both in-swing and out-swing deliveries on diverse surfaces.

“Mohammad Abbas is an exceptional bowler with the new ball. He builds pressure and provides control, a role he understands thoroughly. I’m eager to see him in action,” Moores stated.

The seasoned 34-year-old bowler is slated to participate in six Division One County Championship matches for Nottinghamshire this year. He is scheduled to join the team in May for an initial set of three matches and will rejoin in September for the concluding three fixtures of the campaign.

Moores disclosed that the club had been observing Abbas’s performance for several seasons and had previously considered signing him.

“Mo possesses numerous qualities, and we’ve been impressed by his county cricket performances over the years. He has consistently bowled well against us,” Moores commented. “Interestingly, we identified him some time ago and nearly finalized a deal, but it didn’t materialize. Therefore, Abbas finally joining Trent Bridge and playing for us is an exciting prospect.”

Abbas, celebrated for his ability to swing the ball and maintain impeccable accuracy, is anticipated to fill the gap created by Australian seamer Fergus O’Neill’s departure after Nottinghamshire’s fourth match of the season.

The Pakistani international has played in 27 Test matches for his country, securing precisely 100 wickets.

In December 2024, Abbas made a comeback to the national team for the tour of South Africa following a three-year absence. He made a significant impact by claiming 10 wickets in the two-match Test series, including an impressive 6 for 54 in the first Test.

Moores also emphasized Abbas’s extensive experience and character as significant advantages for the team.

“Any player with such extensive international experience brings a wealth of knowledge. In all my conversations with him, he has demonstrated a profound understanding of the game and a genuine enthusiasm for it. Players like him not only have vast experience but are also keen to share their insights with others — an aspect we highly value.”

Abbas, whose last Test appearance for Pakistan was in March, is currently preparing for his time with Nottinghamshire and is expected to integrate into the squad during the first week of May.

“He is already in training and getting himself prepared,” Moores mentioned. “He’ll have around a week with us before commencing play. Interestingly, his first match will be against his former county, Hampshire, which should be an intriguing contest.”

When questioned about the potential for Abbas to remain with the club long-term, Moores expressed optimism about future opportunities.

“There is always potential. We aim to foster relationships with talented players who may return and become integral to the club. It’s not solely about individual skill but about building a strong team atmosphere, and Mo aligns with all of those objectives.”

Abbas had initially committed to Nottinghamshire CCC for the 2020 season; however, the COVID-19 pandemic prevented him from joining.

As travel restrictions eased in 2021, he signed with Hampshire CCC, where he remained for the subsequent four seasons.