Usama Mir Set to Qualify as Local Player for Worcestershire in 2027

WORCESTER: Worcestershire County Cricket Club revealed the acquisition of Pakistan’s Usama Mir on a three-year contract on Monday.

As per the agreement, Mir will play for Worcestershire Rapids as an international player in 2026 but will be eligible as a local player for the subsequent two seasons, demonstrating the club’s ‘long-term strategic planning’.

The club stated that the initial year of his contract counts towards their overseas player allocation. In contrast, the following two years will see him classified as a local player because of residency requirements. This arrangement underscores Worcestershire’s dedication to strategic, long-range development.

This upcoming period marks his second engagement with Worcestershire, following his stint in the 2023 season when he led in batting and bowling statistics.

Although he was scheduled to return the previous year, documentation problems prevented his participation, leading to Hayden Walsh from the West Indies taking his place.

Worcestershire CEO Ashley Giles praised Mir’s signing, calling him a ‘high-calibre’ cricketer. He also highlighted that his transformation into a domestic player by the 2027 season would greatly help the club in establishing a formidable squad.

Giles stated that they are delighted to have Usama join Worcestershire, emphasizing his skills and attitude that will significantly impact this level.

He further mentioned that his transition to a homegrown player from 2027 provides significant flexibility in team planning and emphasizes their commitment to creating a competitive team for sustained success.

The 29-year-old boasts international experience, having played for Pakistan in five T20Is and 12 ODIs. He is also a frequent participant in T20 leagues worldwide, such as Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL), England’s The Hundred, and the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Usama Mir has participated in 156 T20 matches, securing 178 wickets with an impressive average of 22.94 and an economy rate of 7.70. Additionally, he has scored 491 runs in the T20 format.