The Yorkshire County Cricket Club is pleased to announce the signing of international fast bowler Naveen Ul-Haq as an overseas player for the 2026 Vitality Blast.
The 26-year-old right-arm quick, who becomes the first Afghan player to represent Yorkshire, will join the White Rose for the full duration of the competition.
Ul-Haq has rapidly become one of the world’s most exciting T20 bowlers, earning a reputation for his wicket-taking ability and variations. Having taken 271 wickets across 223 career T20 matches to date, Ul-Haq averages 24 with the ball with a career best haul of 5-11.
During a previous spell with Leicestershire, he finished top of the Blast’s leading wicket-taker list with 26 scalps across the 2021 tournament, finishing second in the same charts a year later.
Naveen Ul-Haq at Headingley (Photo courtesy of YCCC)
Ul-Haq said he was excited to experience cricket in Yorkshire.
“It’s a real honour to sign with Yorkshire, a club with a very proud history. Headingley is world-famous, and I know how all the fans get behind the team.
“I’m very excited to play in front of the Yorkshire public at Headingley and contribute to a strong campaign in the 2026 Blast. I’m looking forward to working with the players and coaches and hopefully, bringing some success.”
Ul Haq, will link up with the squad ahead of the tournament’s opening fixtures, bringing international experience and a dynamic skill set to a group aiming to progress further in white-ball cricket.
Gavin Hamilton, General Manager of Cricket, added, “Naveen is a very talented player who comes with a proven record in the Blast. He has honed his variation and these will be a useful weapon for us.
“He has the ability to consistently make a significant impact on games and brings us exceptional quality and T20 experience for someone who is still young.
“As an in-demand player on the global franchise circuit, securing Naveen’s services is a strong statement of our intent and ambition for the future.”
