Worcestershire are bolstering their team as they pursue their first T20 Blast title in seven years. They have signed Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza to replace Ben Dwarshuis. Last season, Dwarshuis took 18 wickets and contributed with the bat.
Although Dwarshuis was expected to return in 2026, he was withdrawn from his contract by Cricket Australia last month after being acquired by Ricky Ponting’s Punjab Kings in the IPL auction. Raza, a middle-order batter, will not directly replace Dwarshuis but has committed to playing throughout the Blast.
Worcestershire’s overseas squad will also feature Pakistani leg-spinner Usama Mir, who signed a long-term deal last year, and former England Under-19 left-arm spinner Fateh Singh, adding strength to their spin attack. Raza has experience in the T20 Blast, having played for Northamptonshire in 2024 and for Manchester Originals in The Hundred.
Worcestershire won the T20 Blast in 2018 and were runners-up in 2019, but they have struggled in recent seasons, reaching the quarter-finals only once in the last six years.
“I am delighted to be joining Worcestershire Rapids this summer and to be playing in a T20 competition that I really enjoy. I have loved my time in England whenever I have played there before, so I can’t wait to get started this summer,” Raza said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
“Sikandar’s stats in T20 cricket speak for themselves. As a side aiming to succeed in the Vitality Blast, we wanted someone with International experience who can impact the game in various ways. We’re excited to have Sikandar on board,” said head coach Alan Richardson.
Leicestershire announced that Keshav Maharaj’s contract fell through due to workload restrictions from Cricket South Africa. He will be replaced by New Zealand left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel on a full-season contract.
Kent has also confirmed that Australian bowler Tom Rogers will return for a third consecutive T20 Blast season. Rogers has been sidelined since a shoulder injury last July but will compete for one of two overseas spots alongside South Africans Keith Dudgeon and Senuran Muthusamy. Additionally, Kent announced that Zak Crawley will remain with the club, signing a new rolling one-year deal that aligns with his England contract expiring in October.
