Derbyshire Falcons secure Pakistan spin power for 2026 Vitality Blast

Derbyshire Falcons have sent a clear message ahead of the 2026 Vitality Blast: spin will be at the heart of their campaign. The club has confirmed the signings of two exciting international spinners, Sufyan Moqim and Mohammad Ghazanfar, ensuring quality and continuity throughout the tournament.

The plan is a smart one. Pakistan’s left-arm wrist-spinner Sufyan Moqim will feature in the first half of the group stage, before Afghanistan’s teenage sensation Mohammad Ghazanfar returns for the second half and the knockout rounds once his IPL commitments are complete. Together, they give Derbyshire a balanced and threatening spin attack across the entire competition.

Moqim arrives with a growing reputation in global T20 leagues. His best international figures of 5 for 3 for Pakistan underline just how destructive he can be, while his rare skillset as a left-arm wrist-spinner makes him a difficult bowler to line up. Having already worked under Head of Cricket Mickey Arthur during the Bangladesh Premier League, Moqim is no stranger to the Falcons’ leadership and philosophy.

Ghazanfar, meanwhile, is already a proven performer in Derbyshire colours. At just 19, he was the Falcons’ leading wicket-taker in the 2025 Vitality Blast, claiming 16 wickets and producing a standout spell of 2 for 5 against Yorkshire in July. Despite his age, he boasts close to 100 career wickets across formats and was rewarded with a place in the ICC Men’s ODI Team of the Year for 2024, a remarkable achievement for such a young bowler.

Mickey Arthur believes the signings reflect both cricketing quality and character. He praised Moqim as a “rising star” who thrives under pressure, while also highlighting the importance of personality in recruitment. Speaking about Ghazanfar, Arthur noted his rapid development and revealed that the young spinner was eager to return to Derbyshire, making the deal even more special.

For the players, the excitement is mutual. Moqim says he is looking forward to working with Arthur again and experiencing English conditions, while Ghazanfar has spoken warmly about the environment at Derbyshire, crediting the squad and coaches for making him feel at home. His ambition is clear: to improve on last season and push for the Vitality Blast trophy.

With overlapping tournaments making overseas recruitment increasingly difficult, Derbyshire’s ability to secure two current international spinners is a major win. As the 2026 Vitality Blast approaches, the Falcons look well-equipped to challenge strongly and with Moqim and Ghazanfar sharing the spin workload, opposition batters can expect a tough summer ahead.