Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club is thrilled to announce the signing of Pakistan's pace spearhead, Mohammad Abbas, for a significant stint in the 2025 county season. The experienced bowler is set to join the team in May, coinciding with the conclusion of Australian all-rounder Fergus O'Neill's contract, and will remain until the pivotal stages of the County Championship in September. In total, Abbas is expected to make six appearances throughout the season.

At 34 years of age, Abbas brings a wealth of experience and prowess to the squad. He originally signed with Nottinghamshire in 2020; however, his contract was unfortunately disrupted due to the outbreak of COVID-19. Since then, he has showcased his skills with Hampshire, acquiring a remarkable 180 wickets in red-ball formats over the last four summers, in addition to his prior experiences with Leicestershire.

"Trent Bridge is a special place to play cricket, so it will be great to call the ground home this summer - especially after not being able to come over and play for Notts five years ago," Abbas expressed excitement about his return. He also acknowledged the mix of youth and experience within the team, stating, "There's a good blend of young talent and senior players who've been around for a while and know their game really well, and I'm looking forward to contributing in any way that I can to their success."

Last season, Nottinghamshire secured eighth place in the County Championship Division One, maintaining a comfortable 21-point buffer above the relegation zone. O'Neill is expected to feature in four matches during April, while the club has also re-signed Kyle Verreynne, the South African wicketkeeper, for most of the summer. Completing the squad is former Surrey bowler Conor McKerr.

Abbas' statistics speak volumes, with 758 wickets in first-class cricket and a significant record of 100 wickets in just 27 Test matches for Pakistan, the latest being against South Africa this month. His impact in any match he plays is expected to be monumental.

"Players of Mo's experience and track record don't come around all that often, so we're really excited about what he can bring to us this summer," remarked Peter Moores, Nottinghamshire's head coach. He emphasized Abbas' exceptional control and his skill in extracting wickets on diverse pitch conditions, making him a valuable asset.

On the other side, Hampshire acknowledged Abbas' departure as part of a strategic move to better balance their squad and are currently exploring alternative overseas options. Giles White, Hampshire's Director of Men's Cricket, showed his appreciation for Abbas, stating, "His character will be sorely missed in the dressing room and on the pitch, and everyone at the club wishes him the very best in his career."