Mohammad Rizwan Set for First CPL Stint with St Kitts and Nevis Patriots

Mohammad Rizwan is all set to make his debut in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) after agreeing to join the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots for the remainder of the 2025 season. The move comes as Rizwan replaces Afghanistan pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi, who has left the squad to join his national side for the upcoming tri-series in the UAE, involving Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the host nation.

The signing, expected to be officially confirmed by the CPL within the next 24 hours, adds another high-profile name to a growing list of Pakistani cricketers featuring in this year's competition.

Rizwan, a former Pakistan T20I captain and accomplished wicketkeeper-batter, was cleared to participate in the league after being omitted from Pakistan’s T20 squad for both the UAE tri-series and the upcoming Asia Cup. With the PCB’s No Objection Certificate (NOC) for overseas leagues reportedly a formality, Rizwan’s availability for Thursday’s clash against the Barbados Royals remains uncertain but possible.

This will be Rizwan’s first stint in the CPL, marking a new chapter in his T20 career. His addition is expected to bolster a struggling Patriots side that started the season with a win but followed it with three consecutive losses, placing them second from bottom on the points table. The Patriots, CPL champions in 2017 and 2021, are in dire need of a turnaround, and Rizwan’s experience could be pivotal.

The team already features fellow Pakistanis Naseem Shah and Abbas Afridi. Across the league, several other Pakistani stars are in action this season, including Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Salman Irshad, and newly-signed legspinner Usama Mir, who joined the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons earlier this week.

With his inclusion in the CPL and a confirmed signing with the Melbourne Renegades for the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) season, Rizwan will have exhausted the PCB’s limit of two overseas T20 league appearances for centrally contracted players in the 12-month window starting July 2025.

As the CPL 2025 season unfolds, all eyes will be on Rizwan as he brings his trademark consistency and composure to a league known for its flair and fireworks.