Derbyshire Bolster T20 Blast Squad with Pakistan's Sufiyan Muqeem and Afghanistan's Mohammad Ghazanfar

Derbyshire have made a significant statement of intent ahead of the 2026 T20 Blast by securing the signatures of two international spinners. Pakistan's Sufiyan Muqeem and Afghanistan's Mohammad Ghazanfar will share overseas duties throughout the tournament, giving the Falcons a formidable spin attack for the entirety of their campaign.

Strategic Overseas Planning

The signing represents smart squad management from Derbyshire, with the two spinners set to rotate based on availability and tournament progression. Muqeem, 26, will occupy the overseas slot for the first six matches of the competition before making way for the returning Ghazanfar.

This arrangement ensures the Falcons maintain quality spin options throughout the group stages and beyond, should they advance to the knockout rounds—something they haven't achieved since 2022.

Sufiyan Muqeem: Pakistan's T20 Specialist

The left-arm spinner arrives at Derbyshire with impressive credentials in the shortest format. Muqeem has claimed 51 wickets across 38 T20 matches, demonstrating his consistency and wicket-taking ability at the highest level.

His international record is equally compelling, with 27 wickets from 19 T20 internationals for Pakistan. The highlight of his career came in December 2024 when he produced a devastating spell of 5-3 against Zimbabwe, showcasing his match-winning capabilities.

Muqeem's T20 Credentials at a Glance

• T20 Career: 51 wickets in 38 matches
• T20I Record: 27 wickets in 19 internationals
• Best T20I Figures: 5-3 vs Zimbabwe (December 2024)

Mohammad Ghazanfar: The Returning Hero

The 19-year-old Afghan spinner returns to Derby having made a significant impact during the 2025 campaign. Ghazanfar was the club's leading wicket-taker in last year's Blast, claiming 16 wickets in 14 appearances—a remarkable achievement for a teenager competing in English conditions.

Despite his youth, Ghazanfar has already accumulated 20 international appearances for Afghanistan across all three formats, highlighting his rapid rise in world cricket. His recent participation in the International T20 League in the United Arab Emirates further demonstrates his growing reputation on the global franchise circuit.

Mickey Arthur's Vision

Derbyshire's head of cricket Mickey Arthur expressed satisfaction with the club's recruitment strategy, acknowledging the challenges of securing overseas talent in an increasingly congested cricket calendar.

"Signing overseas players with so many tournaments overlapping can be difficult, so we've done well to sign two current international spinners to ensure we have balance in our squad through the whole campaign."

The experienced coach was particularly effusive about his new signings, describing Muqeem as "a gem" while highlighting Ghazanfar's commitment to the club.

"He's performing at a high level around the world, but he was clear with me over the winter that he wanted to come back to Derbyshire, and it's exciting we've managed to get the deal done."

The Road Ahead: 2026 T20 Blast Campaign

Derbyshire will launch their T20 Blast campaign with a home fixture against Durham on 22 May. With Muqeem available for the opening matches, the Falcons will hope their new spin duo can help them break their knockout drought and progress beyond the group stages for the first time in four years.

The combination of Muqeem's experience and proven international pedigree with Ghazanfar's youthful exuberance and familiarity with English conditions gives Derbyshire genuine optimism heading into the summer.

Looking Forward

This recruitment strategy signals Derbyshire's ambition to compete at the highest level in domestic T20 cricket. By securing two quality international spinners who complement each other's availability, the Falcons have addressed a key area of squad depth while ensuring continuity throughout the tournament.

With both players bringing international experience and proven wicket-taking ability, Derbyshire supporters have every reason to be excited about the club's T20 Blast prospects in 2026.