After signing for Essex Cricket in August, Zaman Akhter sits down and discusses the move from Gloucestershire, his career so far and his experiences in the sport.
Akhter, 26, agreed to a three-year deal in the summer to join Essex Men. So far in his career, ‘Zum’ has taken multiple five-wicket hauls across different formats, earning him recognition from the England Lions, with whom he toured South Africa.
The right-arm seam bowler played first-class cricket for Oxford UCCE in 2019 and featured in minor counties cricket for Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire before moving to the South Asian Cricket Academy, where he became the sixth graduate to turn professional.
Akhter made his first-class debut for Gloucestershire against Durham in May 2023 and hit the ground running, taking figures of 4-33 in 17 overs in his third County Championship match, against Leicestershire. Later that year, he made his List A debut in August.
A year on, the seam bowler claimed his maiden five-wicket haul in April 2024, taking 5-89 against Yorkshire.
In August 2024, after a series of impressive performances, Zaman was selected for the England Lions squad for a four-day match at Worcester’s New Road against Sri Lanka. He took 5-32 in just 11.5 overs and was called up again that December for the Lions tour of South Africa.
Watch the full interview here
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