Mujeeb Ur Rahman returns to Middlesex for 2022 Blast stint

Mujeeb Ur Rahman, the Afghanistan spinner, has re-signed for Middlesex to appear in this year's Vitality Blast.

Mujeeb, a regular in franchise leagues around the world, will be turning out for the London club for his fourth consecutive season. He is expected to be available for the Blast's entire group stage, as well as the knockouts, should Middlesex qualify.

"I am very pleased to be returning to Middlesex, as the club is like family to me," he said. "I'm very happy there and hopefully we can do well this season."

Middlesex finished second from bottom in their 2021 Blast campaign, and after a difficult season across all formats parted company with head coach, Stuart Law. They have since appointed Alan Coleman as head of men's performance, and former England seamer Richard Johnson as first-team coach.

Success in the T20 format has been fleeting for Middlesex, with just two quarter-final appearances since they won the old Twenty20 Cup in 2008. They last reached the knockout stages in 2019, Mujeeb's first season at the club.

Middlesex have already recruited Peter Handscomb, the Australian batter who captains the side in first-class cricket, and Pakistan quick Shaheen Shah Afridi as overseas players for 2022.

"We are delighted once again to be able to extend Mujeeb's association with Middlesex Cricket," Coleman said. "Not only is he a truly world-class cricketer, but he is a fantastic role model and inspiration for many young people in London and around the world.

"As an individual he offers a huge amount in our changing room, having played T20 cricket successfully across the globe in the world's largest competitions. The knowledge and experience he shares with our young players is invaluable and they absolutely love working with him.

"Under our newly appointed first-team coach, Richard Johnson, we are really looking forward to making big progress in all competitions this year, and to have someone of the calibre of Mujeeb in our squad at the forefront of our T20 ambitions again is a really exciting prospect.

"We can't wait to see him back in a Middlesex shirt this summer."