Pakistan left-arm wrist spinner Sufiyan Muqeem has dismissed speculation linking him with a permanent move abroad, saying the reports are “completely baseless”, reaffirming his commitment to representing Pakistan.
The rumours surfaced on social media after Derbyshire Falcons signed the 24-year-old for the remainder of the 2026 Vitality Blast, with claims circulating that he was considering leaving Pakistan due to limited international opportunities.
Muqeem addressed the speculation through a statement posted on his official Instagram account.
“The rumours about me leaving Pakistan are completely baseless. I am currently in England solely to play T20 cricket for Derbyshire Falcons,” he wrote.
“I kindly ask you all to keep me in your prayers. Pakistan is my identity, my pride and my homeland, and it will always come first for me. Long live Pakistan!” he added.
Muqeem joined Derbyshire as a replacement for Afghanistan spinner Mohammad Ghazanfar, whose availability was withdrawn by the Afghanistan Cricket Board as part of workload management.
Ghazanfar had been expected to rejoin the county side ahead of their Vitality Blast fixture against Yorkshire before the late change opened the door for Muqeem.
The spinner has represented Pakistan in 19 T20 Internationals since his debut in 2023 and has also featured in four One-Day Internationals after earning his maiden ODI cap in 2024.
