Abbas to return to Pakistan

Leicestershire CCC can confirm that Muhammad Abbas will miss the final three Specsavers County Championship fixtures of the 2019 season.

The Pakistan Cricket Board are recalling all of their centrally contracted players ahead of the October test series with Sri Lanka.

Abbas, like all other centrally contracted players, will be required to play in the opening round of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy fixtures in Pakistan before that series.

Given the timescales for this, Abbas is required to return to Pakistan on Tuesday, September 10^th, and will therefore not be available against Northamptonshire CCC, Glamorgan CCC and Lancashire CCC.

Leicestershire CCC Head Coach Paul Nixon said: “It is disappointing that Mo [Muhammad Abbas] will not be available for the run in, but we understand that he has to go back given everybody has been recalled.

“We will miss what Mo brings to the team in terms of his outstanding quality, discipline and hard work, and everything he brings to the dressing room, but it will give somebody else an opportunity in the last three weeks of the season.

“We thank Mo for another excellent season of bowling and wish him all the best in his international programme over the next few weeks and months.”