After 5 seasons at Northamptonshire, the time has sadly come to say goodbye to Azhar. The 33-year-old has played a significant role in the club since joining in 2013, helping the squad secure a promotion into division one, taking an impressive 295 wickets and contributing to two T20 titles.

In moving on from Northants, the right arm quick said; “I wanted to take the opportunity to thank everyone that has helped me through my time at the Club since I joined in 2013.

“I would like to thank all the coaching staff, the fitness staff, the board, my teammates and the passionate and supportive fans who’ve helped and supported me throughout my 5 years at the Club. I would also like to thank all the people who got in touch after the recent announcement about my departure. I wish I could thank you all personally but I feel it’s appropriate to pay my gratitude to you all from here. 

“Obviously with my contract up at the end of this season, I would love to have stayed on for 2018 and beyond but I respect the Club’s decision to move in a different direction. Northants is a county with great history and I have nothing but respect and admiration for the Club and I will always be grateful for the opportunity they gave me in the first place. 

“I very much intend to continue my playing career next season and I hope I can return to visit all those people I count as friends at The County Ground even if I am wearing another Club’s shirt!”