Pakistan’s Zafar staying with new two-year deal
PAKISTANI spinner Zafar Gohar has signed a new two-year deal with Gloucestershire, keeping him at the Seat Unique Stadium until at least the end of the 2024 season.
The 27-year-old was a star performer last season, picking up the Bowler of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season awards.
Zafar said: “I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Bristol last season and have made some great friends in the dressing room, so I’m really excited to be back.
“There’s a lot of talent in the group and I want to do my best to help the team next achieve success, starting with promotion back to Division One of the County Championship next season.”
After initially impressing during the latter stages of the 2021 season, Zafar re-signed for the county for the 2022 campaign and bowled 527 overs in first-class and List A cricket, and finished the year as Gloucestershire’s leading wicket taker with 60 wickets in all competitions.
In Division One of the County Championship, Zafar claimed 47 wickets including a nine-wicket-haul in the win over Yorkshire at Headingley, and his 10 wickets in the match against Northamptionshire at Cheltenham.
In the One-day Cup he took 13 wickets in eight matches, the joint-most alongside Paul van Meekeren.
He also flourished with the bat and scored 493 first-class runs at an average of 27.38 and in August’s 50-over matches, he averaged 40.80 and accumulated 204 runs from eight innings with his career-best List A score of 62 at Cheltenham followed up by 53 against Sussex Sharks in Hove.
He will be available for selection in all three formats for Gloucestershire next season and will link up with the rest of the squad for pre-season training in the Spring.
Head coach Dale Benkenstein said: “It’s great news to have secured Zafar’s services for the next two years, he grew as a player and as a member of the squad as the 2022 season progressed.
“We firmly believe we still haven’t seen the best of Zafar yet, which is really exciting, and we will continue to help Zafar reach his true potential as a match winner for Gloucestershire.”
Performance director Steve Snell added: “Zafar has become a supporter’s favourite because of the fantastic performances he put in for Gloucestershire during the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
“Zafar has not only made a significant impact on the pitch with the bat and ball, but has also been such a positive influence in and around the dressing room, and across the whole club.
“We’re really confident that Zafar signing a contract with the club not only strengthens our squad, but can assist Zafar’s career and keep helping him improve over the next couple of years.”