Northern Superchargers have moved quickly to cover late withdrawals by signing Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim for the 2025 Hundred, a move that quietens talk of a silent freeze-out of Pakistan players.
The pair arrive as replacements for Australia’s Ben Dwarshuis, ruled out of the whole competition, and New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner, unavailable for the Superchargers’ opening two matches. They are the first Pakistani men to secure Hundred contracts this year, after none were picked in March’s draft.
“We’re aware of that in other regions,” ECB chief executive Richard Gould said back in February, “but that won’t be happening here.” His words came as four of the eight teams confirmed new investors based in India and two more welcomed Indian-American backers, prompting inevitable questions about political influence on selection. Monday’s signings lend weight to Gould’s stance, though availability, not geopolitics, probably had most to do with the earlier snub. Pakistan’s white-ball squads are on duty in the West Indies and then the UAE, and last year’s late withdrawals by Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah linger in the memory of several front offices.
Amir, 33, returns to a competition he once graced with Oval Invincibles, while 36-year-old Imad adds a second spin-all-round option alongside Adil Rashid. Both deals run only for the windows created by their predecessors’ departures, but head coach Andrew Flintoff has stressed the value of proven, unflustered campaigners during a condensed season.
Ben Stokes lending a hand
The Superchargers will also have Ben Stokes around the camp, if not in the middle. Nursing a shoulder problem that forced him out of England’s final Test against India, Stokes has offered his time in an informal mentor role.
“You will see me knocking about the Hundred, not in a playing way,” Stokes said. “I had to make a decision in January if I would participate in the comp, but that was after my hamstring surgery. I said I’d still like to be a part of it, so I will be milling about. I won’t have a notebook and pen. I said I would come and give my time to the team. I will be cracking on with my rehab.”
Stokes’ presence ensures a heavyweight dressing-room even as most of England’s Test quicks rest up ahead of a busy winter. The majority of Test batters, however, are expected to feature throughout the tournament.
Elsewhere in the league
• London Spirit have turned to veteran keeper-batter John Simpson for Tuesday’s opener against Oval Invincibles, with Ollie Pope and Jamie Smith both resting minor niggles. Glamorgan all-rounder Dan Douthwaite has signed a short-term contract for the same fixture.
• Manchester Originals have drafted in New Zealand left-hander Mark Chapman for the first week, covering Rachin Ravindra’s international commitments, while 18-year-old leg-spinner Farhan Ahmed steps in for injured seamer Marchant de Lange.
• Trent Rockets will use West Indies all-rounder Akeal Hosein as a two-game stand-in for South Africa’s George Linde.
Replacements at a glance
London Spirit: John Simpson, Dan Douthwaite for Jamie Smith, Ollie Pope (5 Aug)
Manchester Originals: Mark Chapman for Rachin Ravindra (6-13 Aug); Farhan Ahmed for Marchant de Lange (tournament)
Northern Superchargers: Imad Wasim for Mitchell Santner (7-10 Aug); Mohammad Amir for Ben Dwarshuis (tournament)
Trent Rockets: Akeal Hosein for George Linde (10-14 Aug)
Analysis without fuss
On the field, Superchargers badly needed a death-overs specialist after Dwarshuis’ withdrawal. Amir’s left-arm angle offers that, albeit at the cost of pace he once had. Imad, meanwhile, bowls stump to stump in the Powerplay and lengthens a batting line-up prone to wobble once either Harry Brook or Matthew Short departs.
The broader theme is that Pakistani talent still has room in the Hundred, investor origins notwithstanding. With a tri-series ending in late August and the Champions Trophy moving to February 2026, more opportunities may follow. For now, Amir and Imad get the chance to remind UK crowds of the skill that once lit up Lord’s on Test mornings and T20 nights alike.
