Pakistan wicketkeeper‑batter Mohammad Rizwan is set to feature in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) for the first time, having agreed a deal with the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots for the remainder of the 2025 season.
Pakistan’s former T20I captain joins the Patriots as a replacement for Afghanistan’s Fazalhaq Farooqi, who has been called up to his national side ahead of their tri‑series against Pakistan and the UAE in the Emirates later this month.
Rizwan, meanwhile, has been cleared to play in the CPL following his omission from Pakistan’s T20I squad for both the UAE tri‑series and the upcoming Asia Cup, freeing him up for the entirety of the tournament. If all goes to plan, he could take the field in tomorrow’s clash against the Barbados Royals.
While his opportunities in international T20s have become limited, Rizwan remains a hot commodity in franchise cricket. Earlier this year, he signed with the Melbourne Renegades for the Big Bash League, meaning the Patriots stint will complete his quota of two overseas leagues allowed for centrally contracted Pakistan players within a 12‑month window.
For the Patriots, Rizwan’s arrival comes at a time when the two‑time CPL champions are struggling for momentum. After opening their campaign with a win, they have suffered three consecutive defeats and currently sit fourth on the points table.
The 33‑year‑old will also link up with familiar faces in the Patriots’ camp, with Naseem Shah and Abbas Afridi already part of the squad. The 2021 champs will be banking on Rizwan’s experience and consistency to steady their campaign.
For Rizwan—Pakistan’s go‑to man in T20 cricket for much of the past five years—this CPL debut offers not only a chance to test himself in Caribbean conditions but also an opportunity to remind fans back home of his enduring value at a time when the national selectors have looked elsewhere.