“He made people want to come and watch him”: Fleetwood professional made a positive impression

Fleetwood CC have paid tribute to professional Muhammad Hurraira for his efforts in helping them to this season’s NPCL division two title and promotion.

The Pakistan Test opener signed off from Broadwater with four games remaining in their season.

He did so, having scored almost 1,500 runs and with four centuries and three half-centuries in his last dozen innings across all formats.

Preparations for the new first-class season in Pakistan meant Hurraira departed early, with a ringing endorsement from Fleetwood skipper Declan Clerkin.

“He’s stayed longer than most pros do but he’s been unbelievable and everything that’s right about overseas cricketers,” Clerkin said.

“There’s a lot of scepticism in today’s day and age because it’s difficult to find top-class players - when you look at who you used to have in the 1990s and 2000s - with franchise cricket.

“To have come across a player of his ability, who has played Test cricket, is really pleasing.

“He’s a top person, a really good human being and a sensational cricketer.

“I’ve played first-team cricket for 10 years and he’s the best genuine batter I’ve seen across all formats and in all conditions.

“He can take games away from people and do it in a really stylish way, plus he made people want to come and watch him.

“I said this to him when he left, we will miss him.”

Any possible return to the Fylde coast next year could well depend on whether Hurraira regains his place in Pakistan’s Test line-up after two matches against the West Indies at the start of 2025.

Any selection potentially paves the way for Hurraira to feature alongside Blackpool professional Ali Usman, provided he also earns a recall to the national team after his well-publicised dropping last month.

Clerkin said: “In an ideal world, he (Hurraira) won’t be playing club cricket next year because he’ll have pushed his case for national selection.

“When you see the quality of some of the batters, I’m surprised he hasn’t had more opportunities.

“I’ve played against Ali for the last two years and that (Test selection) shows you he’s top quality.

“Sometimes the gap between club and international cricket is miles away but I think it’s great for the league and great for Blackpool that he’s been involved.”