Bangladesh pacer Hasan Mahmud has signed with Kent Cricket to become only the second Bangladeshi cricketer in history to play county cricket, following in the footsteps of Shakib Al Hasan.
Kent confirmed the signing on Tuesday, with the 26-year-old set to feature in six Rothesay County Championship matches across two spells this season. He will also become the first Bangladeshi to represent Kent in the club’s history.
Hasan will play two matches in June,away at Lancashire from 12 to 15 June, and then at home against Middlesex during the 174th Canterbury Cricket Week from 19 to 22 June. He will then return to Bangladesh before rejoining Kent for four further Championship matches in September to close out the season.
The right-arm pacer, who missed several months of cricket through injury before returning mid-season for Legends of Rupganj in the Dhaka Premier League, described the opportunity as the fulfilment of a long-held ambition.
“I am honoured to have the opportunity to play county cricket for a historic club like Kent,” Hasan said in a press release. “Playing county cricket is a dream come true, and it is a proud moment not only for me, but also for everyone back home in Bangladesh.”
He added that he had held positive discussions with head coach Adam Hollioake and director of cricket Simon Cook about his role within the squad, and expressed eagerness to connect with supporters in England.
“I am determined to work hard and contribute to the team’s success,” he said. “I cannot wait to represent this county and I am looking forward to seeing the Bangladeshi fans in the UK come out and support the team. Their passion for cricket is well known.”
Cook was equally enthusiastic about the acquisition. “We are delighted to welcome Hasan to add international-class pace to our bowling attack for the latter part of the season,” he said. “His addition will strengthen our squad. Given the workload our bowlers have carried through the season, Hasan’s arrival will bring fresh energy as we push through the remaining fixtures.”
Since his Test debut against Sri Lanka in March 2024, Hasan has claimed 36 wickets in the longer format. His most notable performance came in August last year when he took five wickets for 43 runs against Pakistan — one of the finest bowling displays of his career. The challenge now is to replicate that red-ball potency in English conditions, where seam and swing traditionally reward pace bowlers of his type.
Shakib previously represented Worcestershire and Surrey in county cricket, making him the only Bangladeshi to have done so before Hasan’s arrival. Under ECB regulations, a county side may register up to four overseas players, with a maximum of two permitted in any single XI.
