New Nottinghamshire signing Mohammad Abbas may have only landed in England within the last week, but he is already eager to begin life with the Green and Golds.
Abbas is part of a 13-strong squad named by Head Coach Peter Moores for this week’s Rothesay County Championship clash against Abbas' former side, Hampshire (9-12 May, 11am start).
“I’m very excited to call Trent Bridge home this summer,” said the Pakistan international. “Nottinghamshire have started the season very well.
“My time in county cricket before, with Leicestershire and Hampshire, taught me a lot about English conditions, and how to bowl here.
“As a professional, you need to be able to play in all conditions, and my experience of playing all around the world is very helpful with that.”
Abbas began his county career with two seasons in close proximity to Trent Bridge, at Leicestershire, before making the move south for four campaigns with the Rose and Crown.
While with the Utilita Bowl outfit in particular, Abbas was renowned not just for his ability to pick up wickets with metronomic regularity, but to hold a vice-like grip on run rates too.
His numbers from his time in England thus far make for reading that many bowlers would be envious of, having taken 259 wickets at a shade under 20 apiece.
“I know how to bowl in different conditions, and a lot of that is because of my experience in Pakistan, where the pitches and balls can be different to each other,” he said.
“Then, from my time already here, it gives me good confidence that because I have done well here before, I can keep doing that.
“Because of that too, I am not facing any problems now, back in England and getting used to bowling here again.”
Abbas is also benefitting in his adjustment to life as a Nottinghamshire cricketer by the welcoming environment of the Trent Bridge dressing room.
“I have met most of the team before,” he explains, “and as a professional, you need to be able to build these relationships, so I am happy doing that and becoming part of the team.”
