Yorkshire Sign Pakistan Opener After Ruturaj Gaikwad's Addition

Yorkshire have further strengthened their setup, signing Pakistan’s opening batter Abdullah Shafique on June 17 (Tuesday), after acquiring Ruturaj Gaikwad earlier this week. Shafique will be available for two rounds of the County Championship in June and will then represent Yorkshire in four Vitality Blast games. 

As recently as a few months ago, Shafique showed his batting prowess in the T20 format, finishing with 390 runs, the fourth-highest run-scorer in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025. Shafique’s first assignment for Yorkshire will be against leaders, Nottinghamshire. 

"I'm immensely pleased to be afforded this opportunity with Yorkshire and I'm eager to join up with the team ahead of a big game against Nottinghamshire," Shafique said. "Headingley is a venue I've always wanted to play at and I'm excited to experience a Roses fixture which I've already heard will have an incredible atmosphere!

"Abdullah is another technically gifted, all-format player that we are delighted has signed with us. He has a tremendous skillset and has scored big runs at the highest level of the game,” Yorkshire’s head coach, Anthony McGrath, said. 

"This is a really positive signing for us that will strengthen us greatly. We're all looking forward to Abdullah joining up with the squad next week."