Highfield sign Haris Sohail

Date: 4th January 2012

22-year-old Pakistani batsman Haris Sohail to be club professional for 2012

Highfield have moved to consolidate their position in the Premier League of the Bridging Finance Solutions Liverpool Competition by signing the 22-year-old Pakistani batsman Haris Sohail as their professional for the 2012 season.

Sohail, who turns 23 in four days' time, is a top order left-handed batsman who is regarded as one of the outstanding prospects to emerge from Pakistan's domestic cricket. He has scored 2,692 first-class runs at an average of 48.07. He can also bowl left-arm seam and spin.

The promising young batsman started his career with Sailkot, where he plundered 794 runs at 61.07 in Division Two of the 2008-9 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy before moving to his current side Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited in Pakistan's top tier in 2009/10. Last season, he notched up his maiden first-class double hundred (211*) en-route to 654 runs at 46.71. His success earned him selection for several Pakistan A games in April 2010. In the current season he has scored 854 runs at 53.37, including a century ( 112) in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy (Division One) Final – his fourth hundred of the first-class season.

Highfield's new man is clearly someone who has the national side in his sights and he has been selected to represent the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) against the England touring side in Dubai starting on 11th January.

Haris has not played in the UK before but is very much looking forward to meeting his team mates and club members when he arrives towards the end of April.

Highfield skipper Chris Liptrot commented: "I am really looking forward to working with Haris next season and I am delighted he has chosen our club as his first engagement in the UK. His stats indicate that he has obvious ability, particularly with the bat. I believe he will give us real solidity at the top of order and will complement some of our top order batsmen. I also hope he will give us a different option with the ball. Hopefully Haris will be able to continue his good form in Pakistan when he pulls on the Highfield shirt."

Chairman Gary Speakman added: "Haris is having a terrific season in Pakistan domestic cricket and is clearly an exciting young prospect. He has an all-round game that should complement Chris's existing strong, young, squad and he will also play his part in our junior programmes. We are really looking forward to helping him settle in and enjoy his first experience in the UK."