Yorkshire Preview: Shahzad enters the fray on Rapids return to T20 action

Vitality T20 Blast North Group: Yorkshire v Worcestershire Rapids

Venue: Headingley

Date: Friday 4th July

Scheduled start time: 6:30pm

Worcestershire Rapids return to Vitality T20 Blast action on Friday night, as they make the trip North to play Yorkshire, seeking a competition double over their Northern rivals having beaten them at home earlier on in the competition.

The Rapids welcome new signing Khurram Shahzad into the squad for the first time, as their attentions must switch swiftly back into the short-format, after inconsistency blighted their progress during the first block of group matches.

Brett D’Oliveira’s scintillating 79 off 48 balls sent his team on their way to a first Vitality T20 Blast win of the season, as they swept aside Yorkshire at Visit Worcestershire New Road.

Adam Hose, (54), joined his skipper in finding form as their partnership of 117 propelled the Rapids to 201-5.

The visitors failed to get going in reply, with a middle order collapse leaving Yorkshire, 51-6, a position from which they failed to recover.

Adam Finch (2-19) starred with the ball, as Worcestershire’s excellent performance saw them wrap up a convincing 60-run win by DLS as rain brought a premature end to proceedings.

Former Worcestershire batter Azhar Ali is more than confident Pakistan International Khurram Shahzad will bring his best to Visit Worcestershire New Road, after playing an important role in his signing.

Ali, who enjoyed a memorable time at Worcestershire across two seasons in 2022 and 2023, now occupies a role as the Head of Youth Development for the Pakistan Cricket Board.

Adorning himself to the Worcestershire faithful during his time with the Pears, fans will be delighted to learn that new signing Shahzad, has had the seal of approval from their former batter.

Perhaps more interestingly however, was Ali’s involvement with the signing, playing a key part in discussions with Shahzad as talks progressed.

“I think because of the good relationship between the club and myself and the fact I really enjoyed couple of years and made a lot of good friends, I wanted to help out where I could.

“Worcestershire is a very close knit club, where everyone is very close to each other. It’s kind of family orientated, so you really stay in touch. I made a lot of good friends, as you know, with the support staff also. Our relationship was more than just cricket, is was a great two years and we still touch base with each other.

“So some of the management asked me about how Khurram would be in these conditions, and how he is as a person, so I just conveyed what I know about Khurram.

“Obviously he’s done well in Test cricket where he’s been quite consistent, especially in English these conditions, I believe that he will be a great asset.

“He’ll do really well for the club, he’s a very good person so he will fit in in the team culture really well and I think that’s very important”

Arriving in time to be included in the squad for Friday’s game, Shahzad has featured in the Pakistan Super League, representing Quetta Gladiators, whom he recently helped reach the PSL Final, having previously played for Peshwar Zalmi.

Since debuting in 2023, the 25-year-old medium fast bowler has caught the eye, taking career best figures of 6-90 against Bangladesh, during their series last Summer.

With Jacob Duffy returning to New Zealand after representing the Rapids for the opening stages of the Vitality Blast, Shahzad looks set to come straight into the XI and add his white-ball prowess.

Ali, however, say despite being known for exploits with the red-ball, his surprising pace and variations make him a very tough bowler to face.

“He hasn’t had that express pace, but his height and his length are very key. At times you can underestimate his white ball cricket, but he’s very he’s very good, especially with the new ball, and then comes on at key times later with his death bowling as well.

“He has the Yorkers and the different variations which he can use.

“I always had lot of focus when I’m batting against him because he’s very consistent and he moves the ball, not only in the air, but you know, he has ability to move the ball off the seam as well, which is very important in England,

“He does have a heavy short ball. Which means the batsman can not only just think about the fact he’s just a seamer, he’s an all-round bowler. He will surprise you with his pace as well at times.”

Last T20 result: Lost v Durham by 63 runs

Table position: 8th

One to watch: Jafer Chohan

Without a win in their last three group matches before the return of the Rothesay County Championship, Yorkshire will be looking to kickstart their quest for qualification with a win over the Rapids on Friday night.

Having lost to their next opponents earlier on in the competition by 60-runs at Visit Worcestershire New Road, the Headingly based outfit will be hoping home comforts can help them back into some short-format form.

Winning just two of their opening eight matches, Yorkshire head into Friday’s contest knowing only a win will do if they are to launch a realistic late charge for quarter-final qualification.

In a difficult campaign up until now, Jafer Chohan, Yorkshire’s 22-year-old leg-spinner, has impressed with the ball.

Despite only collecting eight scalps in the competition so far, his recent 4-27 against Leicestershire was telling evidence of the youngster’s potential and ability to affect games with a white-ball in his hands.

With Dawid Malan still firing on all cylinders at the top of the order, amassing 305 runs at an average touching 44, the Yorkshire fans will be hoping the pair can reinvigorate their side’s qualification push.