Shaheen Afridi snapped up by Nottinghamshire for T20 Blast 2023

Nottinghamshire have signed Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Afridi for the upcoming T20 Blast 2023 season. New Zealand batter Colin Munro is the other overseas player for the team. Afridi recently led Lahore Qalandars to their second Pakistan Super League (PSL) title in as many years and also signed up for the Welsh Fire in The Hundred.

Afridi has previously had stints with Middlesex and Hampshire in England. Head coach Peter Moores says he is excited to have a world-class player like Afridi join the team.

"In Shaheen, we've got a world class player - which is really exciting - and a player with a point of difference with the ball, which is crucial when we are looking to recruit," Moores said.

"We are building from a strong platform, with a lot of very talented lads hungry to play T20, and Shaheen adds star quality and a different angle to that group. He has proven himself on big stages; he is fiercely passionate in the way he plays his cricket, and he'll be hugely engaging for everyone to watch for that reason.

"We want to bounce back from last year's campaign, and this signing invigorates the club; he makes impacts in big games, and is a box office player. Alongside Munro, who is one of the top run-scorers in the history of the format, we've got two very unique talents, both of whom will play a big role for us as we look to bring back silverware."

Afridi says he is looking forward to linking up with his new teammates at Trent Bridge. "Notts play an aggressive brand of cricket, which suits me well," Afridi said. 

"They've had great success in recent years and the likes of Alex Hales, Colin Munro and Joe Clarke are players I have faced up against in recent years and been impressed by.

"The goal is obviously to influence games to make the team as successful as possible. Having played at Trent Bridge, I know it is a fast-scoring ground and as a bowler you need to get your line and lengths right, but you also get the rewards when you do that.

"It's definitely an exciting move for me, and one I'm looking forward to."

The T20 Blast is set to kick-off on May 20. Nottinghamshire, who failed to make it to the knockout stages last year for the first time since 2015, will begin their campaign against Derbyshire on May 26.