Mohammad Ali to bolster Nottinghamshire pace battery in late-season deal

Published - 08 Jan 2026, 18:52 IST | Updated - 08 Jan 2026, 19:03 IST

Pakistan seamer Mohammad Ali is set to feature in English domestic cricket after agreeing to a short-term, multi-format deal with Nottinghamshire for the closing two months of the 2026 season. The 33-year-old is scheduled to arrive in early August and will be available for selection in both the County Championship and the One Day Cup, bolstering Nottinghamshire’s bowling resources across red-ball and white-ball competitions during a crucial phase of the domestic season for the club.

Ali brings a significant domestic pedigree, with 340 career wickets to his name. He has featured eight times for Pakistan at the international level, making his most recent appearance during his ODI debut against New Zealand in March 2025. His international resume also includes four Test matches and three T20I appearances. Ali expressed that he was excited to contribute to the club's success.

Ali is already a familiar figure to Nottinghamshire’s coaching staff. He worked closely with assistant head coach Paul Franks during the 2022-23 Pakistani domestic season while representing Central Punjab. That campaign proved productive, as Ali finished as the fifth-highest wicket-taker in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, collecting 24 wickets at an average of 25.54.

He also played a role in Central Punjab’s domestic 50-over title triumph, claiming six wickets across five matches, including a match-winning spell in the final, where Franks was watching him from the sidelines. Franks also expressed himself on Ali's inclusion and his relation with him.

"It was Mohammad's character and personality that really hit home for me when I coached him while in Pakistan. That's what's kept him on our radar ever since, and I've kept a really strong relationship with him, from a distance. We speak regularly, and we've explored other opportunities to bring him to the club in the past, but this one felt like it was at a really good time for him and for us. He's a real pleasure to coach," Franks stated.

Meanwhile, Yorkshire have completed the signing of wicketkeeper-batter Sam Whiteman on a three-year, all-format contract following his departure from Western Australia.

Born in Doncaster before immigrating to Australia, Whiteman has built an impressive domestic record. In 119 first-class matches, he has amassed 6,930 runs, including 17 centuries, and captained Western Australia to consecutive Sheffield Shield titles in 2023 and 2024, having also played a key role in their 2022 success. He is also a three-time Big Bash League champion with Perth Scorchers.

Whiteman previously enjoyed a productive stay with Northamptonshire in 2023, where he averaged over 37 and registered two centuries along with three half-centuries. Holding a British passport, he will represent Yorkshire as a locally qualified player.