Worcestershire have confirmed a three-year T20 contract with Pakistan leg-spinner Usama Mir, beginning with the 2026 season. He will occupy an overseas slot in 2026, then switch to home-grown status from 2027—possible because his spouse holds a British passport, allowing him to qualify for UK residency.
Mir, 29, has not retired from Pakistan duty, but this deal all but ensures a prolonged break from international cricket. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) removed him from its list of centrally contracted players last year, and he has not featured for the national side since April 2024.
Relations between player and board cooled in 2023 when the PCB refused Mir a No-Objection Certificate to play in the Vitality Blast, citing its unofficial “PSL plus two” guideline that limits players to two overseas leagues per year. Worcestershire Rapids had recruited him for that tournament, only to see the move blocked. Since then he has still found work in several competitions: last summer’s Hundred, the Big Bash League, the PSL and, most recently, the Global Super League.
County officials sense an opportunity. Chief executive Ashley Giles told the club website: “He’s a high-calibre cricketer with the skills and temperament to make a real impact at this level. His ability to transition into a homegrown player from 2027 gives us great flexibility in squad planning and shows our commitment to building a competitive team for the long term.”
Statistically, Mir has impressed more in franchise cricket than on the international stage. Across 12 ODIs and five T20Is his returns were patchy, yet he topped the wicket charts in PSL 2024 and performed strongly for the Rapids in 2023. In last season’s BBL he was the most economical leg-spinner outside Adam Zampa.
For now Mir intends to keep one foot in Pakistan’s domestic system. Under current regulations he can continue as a local player there for two more seasons, after which he must register as an overseas professional should he wish to appear in Pakistani competitions.
The move underlines a wider trend of Pakistan players seeking county stability, especially when national selection looks distant. Worcestershire hope Mir’s mix of control and lower-order hitting will serve them well while giving the bowler a clear pathway to regular cricket.
