Abbas Afridi Takes Mohammad Nawaz’s Spot in CPL 2025

The St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots will have to proceed without Pakistani spinner Mohammad Nawaz in the forthcoming Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2025. He has been ruled out, which is a setback for the team as the tournament kicks off on Thursday.

In place of Nawaz, the team has officially announced that fast bowler Abbas Afridi will be joining them. This marks the first CPL appearance for the 24-year-old pacer. Although reports regarding Afridi joining the team had circulated, the official confirmation came with this recent announcement.

Afridi is now set to play alongside fellow Pakistani player Naseem Shah in the Patriots’ lineup. Naseem is making a return to the CPL after his previous participation in 2021, where he played seven games and secured six wickets with an economy rate of 7.68.

Afridi brings a wealth of experience from both domestic and international cricket in Pakistan. He previously played for Fortune Barishal in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) the previous year, where he claimed two wickets in three matches and scored 18 runs.

Notably, he has an impressive record in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), having taken 60 wickets in 40 games since his debut in 2021.

Afridi began his PSL journey with Karachi Kings, then spent three seasons with Multan Sultans, and rejoined Karachi Kings in 2025.

In total, seven Pakistani cricketers are slated to participate in CPL 2025. Veteran Pakistani left-arm fast bowler Mohammad Amir will represent the Trinbago Knight Riders, marking his fourth CPL team since 2021.

Amir has participated in 39 matches in the competition, securing 51 wickets with an average of 18.09.

Usman Tariq will also be joining him at Trinbago. The Pakistani pacer is set to make his CPL debut following noteworthy performances in the 2024 and 2025 PSL seasons.

All-rounder Imad Wasim is making a return to the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, having been released and subsequently re-signed before the player draft.

The Guyana Amazon Warriors, who were the runners-up last year, have signed Pakistani spin all-rounder Hasan Khan. It is reported that Khan is transitioning to playing cricket in the USA.