Former Pakistan spinner Zafar Gohar has emerged as a potential future England cricketer after a remarkable turnaround in his career - one that began with heartbreak and now promises redemption.
Gohar, 30, is currently the most successful spinner in the ongoing County Championship, playing for Middlesex as a local player after securing British citizenship.
Once seen as a rising talent in Pakistan, his international journey was disrupted by misfortune and lack of opportunities.
Back in 2015, Gohar received a surprise call-up to the Pakistan Test squad as a replacement for injured leg-spinner Yasir Shah.
He was playing a domestic match in Faisalabad when he was told to rush to Lahore for a 3 AM. flight to the UAE, where the team was playing England. However, he was exhausted, fell asleep and missed the flight.
Speaking to British media, Gohar told, "It was a dream come true - to get a call to join the national team - but I was drained," he told British media.
"I waited until late at night for travel details, then was told to rest. I could not wake up in time. The next morning, they blamed everything on me. I was devastated," he explained.
That missed chance haunted him and although he later made two more appearances for Pakistan – in an ODI in 2015 and a Test in 2021, consistent opportunities never came.
Despite strong county performances - including 47 wickets and 500 runs for Gloucestershire in 2022 - Gohar was told by Pakistan's then-chief selector that county cricket achievements did not matter in selection.
Feeling sidelined, he decided to switch allegiance. With a British passport and no appearances for Pakistan in the last three years, Gohar is now eligible to play for England.
He is already making a case, with 15 wickets in the first four rounds of the 2025 County Championship season.
"I think I have just reached my prime and I feel ready to take on this new challenge," he stated.
"I had heard England was the toughest place for spinners to get wickets but I got wickets. That was the point I decided, right, I am going to take my chance. I know it is a big, big ask to get picked for England, but I love challenges," he concluded.
Pakistan rankings
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has released its annual team rankings update, reflecting significant shifts across all three formats, with Pakistan slipping in the standings while Sri Lanka emerge as one of the biggest gainers.
In the ICC Men's Test Team Rankings, reigning World Test Championship holders Australia continue to lead, maintaining their top spot with a rating of 126.
However, their lead has slightly narrowed from 15 to 13 points following the annual update, which considers matches played since May 2024 at full value (100%) and those from the previous two years at 50%.
England, under Ben Stokes, have surged into second place after a strong year in Test cricket, winning three out of their four series.
Their rating now stands at 113, pushing South Africa (111) and India (105) down to third and fourth, respectively.
The rest of the top 10 remains unchanged, with New Zealand at fifth, followed by Sri Lanka, Pakistan, West Indies, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.
Only 10 teams are currently ranked in Tests. Ireland must play one more Test within the next year to become eligible, while Afghanistan require three more matches to join the list.
In ODI cricket, India have further solidified their position at the top following their title-winning campaign in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Their rating improved from 122 to 124.
New Zealand, the Champions Trophy runners-up, moved into second place, overtaking Australia, who now sit third.
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