2020 Vitality Blast: Babar Azam to play for Somerset after end of Pakistan’s T20 International tour

Pakistan’s T20 International captain Babar Azam, who is already in England for the Test and T20I series against the host nation, will be returning to Somerset for this year’s T20 Blast, the club confirmed on Saturday.

Babar Azam is expected to join Somerset on September 2, immediately after the T20 International series ends, and will be available until October 4, meaning that he will be there for the club’s last seven league games as well as the knockouts, if the team qualifies.

Babar Azam was the highest run-getter in the 2019 season, scoring 578 runs at an average of 52.54.

BREAKING: It’s official! Babar Azam will play for Somerset in the 2020 Vitality Blast!!

DETAILS #WeAreSomerset @babarazam258 | @TheRealPCB

— Somerset Cricket (@SomersetCCC) August 29, 2020

After agreeing to return to Somerset, Babar Azam in a statement released by the club said: “I really enjoyed playing for Somerset last year and I can’t wait to get back to the Club.

“For obvious reasons, this year has been very different from what we were all expecting, and I fully appreciate the challenges the game has faced globally as well as here in England.

“We have all had to adapt and I’m just really pleased that we could find a way to make this happen. I hope that I can help to contribute to success on the field for Somerset again.”

Babar Azam’s availability a huge boost for Somerset

At a time when most other players have cancelled or mutually dissolved their county contracts in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic, Babar Azam’s acceptance to play is a huge boost for Somerset.

Somerset Director of Cricket, Andy Hurry said: “We originally agreed terms and announced Babar’s signing prior to the impact of Covid-19. However, since then there have obviously been revisions to the domestic and Vitality Blast schedules. Babar already being in England for the Test & IT20 series against England has helped us significantly.

“He is a great player, is so easy on the eye and fitted brilliantly into our environment last year. We consider Babar to be one of our own and our Members and supporters will I am sure be really looking forward to seeing him perform for Somerset again (sic).”