Seamers join to have Blast with Outlaws
LEFT-ARM seamers Ben Lister and Fazalhaq Farooqi have signed for Notts Outlaws ahead of the 2024 Vitality Blast.
New Zealand international Lister will be available for the first eight games of the competition before the break for two County Championship fixtures in late June.
Capped 13 times by his county in white-ball cricket, Lister has a total of 67 T20 wickets from 60 games, at an average of 24.29 and with a best of 4-26.
Afghani Farooqi will take the reins for the final six group-stage games – subject to NOC approval – beginning with the Outlaws’ hosting of Leicestershire Foxes at Trent Bridge.
The 23-year-old has 92 wickets in 76 T20 games at an average of just over 21. His career to date boasts spells in the Big Bash League, Indian Premier League, Pakistan Super League and International League T20, where he recently took careerbest figures of 4-25.
“Given the success Shaheen had with us last year, bringing in left-arm seam options again made sense – it creates a different set of challenges for batters,” said Notts head coach Peter Moores.
“In Ben and Fazalhaq, we have proven wicket-takers who can make an impact on the game in crucial moments, which is what we are after.
“Ben is an exciting talent who is establishing himself on the world stage after consistent performances domestically. He’s made a difference in the teams he has played for and has the potential to do the same with us.
“Meanwhile, Fazalhaq is a world class player with experience on the franchise circuit and in international cricket, with a proven ability to bowl at the death.
His know-how under pressure will be important in our group stage runin.”