Pakistan and England are two of the top cricketing nations in the world. Both countries have won the World Cup in the ODI and T20I format. Interestingly, there have been some players who were born or have connections with Pakistan, but they represented England team at the international level.
The England Cricket Board (ECB) recently named Shoaib Bashir in their squad for the away Test series against India. He is a Pakistan origin player. Here’s a list of the total eight Pakistan origin players who have donned the English jersey.
1. England off-spinner Shoaib Bashir is of Pakistan origin
Shoaib Bashir was born in Surrey and plays county cricket for Somerset. However, the off-spinner has a connection with Pakistan. He has the Pakistan flag in his Instagram bio.
2. Former England batter Owais Shah was born in Sindh
Owais Shah was one of the most destructive batters during his prime. He even played for multiple IPL franchises. The right-handed batter was born in Karachi but played for England.
3. Current England spinner Adil Rashid is of Pakistan origin
Adil Rashid has been an integral part of the England team in recent years. He won the 2019 World Cup and 2022 T20 World Cup with the England team. The leg-spinner is of Pakistan origin as well.
4. Current England all-rounder Moeen Ali is of Pakistan origin
Moeen Ali is one of the top all-rounders in the shorter formats of cricket right now. The off-spin bowling all-rounder is another Pakistan origin player who represents the English team.
5. Kabir Ali
Kabir Ali was a born Pakistan-British cricketer. He bowled right-arm pace, and in his international career, he represented England 15 times across multiple formats.
6. Saqib Mahmood
Saqib Mahmood came into the limelight in 2021 when he performed well for the English side against Pakistan. The right-arm pacer has even played in the Pakistan Super League.
7. Zafar Ansari
Zafar Ansari’s father Professor Khizar Humayun Ansari hailed from Pakistan. Ansari played for England in three Test matches, and the spinner retired at the age of 25.
8. Ajmal Shahzad
Multiple pacers featured on this list, and the list ends with a fast bowler as well. His name is Ajmal Shahzad, who played for England in 2010 and 2011. The Pakistan origin pacer played 11 ODIs and three T20Is.
