England’s top-order batter James Vince has decided to skip the upcoming County Champions to play in the 10th season of the Pakistan Super League.
James decided to counter the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) new policy regarding the No-Objection (NOC) which prohibits players from participating in overseas leagues during the summer, including the PSL, Caribbean Premier League (CPL), Major Cricket League (MLC), with notable exception of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Vince who was retained by champions Karachi Kings in the diamond category for the PSL draft 10, will continue to lead Hampshire’s T20 side but has relinquished the club’s captaincy after a nine-year stint besides taking no part in the County Championship, scheduled this summer.
“I love Hampshire. It’s been my club and home for 16 years, so I want to be able to maintain my best to keep delivering for Hampshire in T20 cricket, and hopefully even further our success in the competition [the Blast].”
“I also need to understand what is best for my family, and combine that with the stage of my career I am at,” Vince said.
“I am so grateful to everyone at Utilita Bowl for supporting me last year through a really tough time, and for allowing me to make this next step,” he added.
James Vince has played 216 FC matches in his career and scored 13340 runs at an average of 40.18 with the help of 30 centuries and 58 half-centuries. He also represented England in 13 tests, 25 ODIs and 17 T20Is with making his last appearance in 2023 against Bangladesh.
Giles White, Hampshire’s director of cricket asked the club’s supporters to be understanding of Vince’s decision.
“James has been at the heart of the club for the best part of 20 years, showing absolute commitment on and off the field as the team’s leading batter and captain,” he said.
“We recognise that this announcement will be tinged with disappointment for many fans but hope everyone will join us in celebrating what he has given to our club over many years and supporting him as he fulfils his commitment to continue leading the Hawks in the 2025 Vitality Blast.”
Meanwhile a reports suggested that England batter Tom Kohler-Cadmore who was signed on a lucrative contract by Peshawar Zalmi on Monday, is likely to follow James Vince and would be committed to playing in the PSL.
He has been speaking to Somerset and the ECB in a bid for clarity over whether he will need to renegotiate his own deal in order to be granted an NOC.
Also Read: PCB released HBL PSL Draft 2025 Pick Order
