Abi Sakande signs Leicestershire contract extension

The pace bowler impressed with the ball for both the first and second XI after joining the club in June 2021

Abi Sakande has signed a contract extension of an undisclosed length with Leicestershire, becoming the latest player to commit his future to the club.

The 27-year-old fast bowler, who joined Leicestershire in June 2021, made an impression in the Second XI Championship, finishing the season with 29 wickets at an average of under 23.

His performances earned him three County Championship appearances for the first XI. He took seven wickets against Middlesex, Sussex and Worcestershire and posted season’s best figures of 3 for 66 against the latter.

Sakande, who began his career at Sussex, has taken 47 wickets at 36.89 in his first-class career and a further nine wickets in 10 List A outings.

^{Sakande played for Sussex before joining Leicestershire in June 2021 [Mike Hewitt/Getty Images]}

Commenting on his contract extension, Sakande said: "I am happy to have extended my contract with the Running Foxes. It was great for me to earn a deal at Leicestershire last season, and I am excited to push on with this this squad to improve on our performances from last year. 2022 will be a good year to be a Fox."

Head coach, Paul Nixon, added: "We are delighted that Abi [Sakande] has signed his extension.

"He has all the attributes to be a high-class bowler; height, lateral movement, pace and bounce. We are excited to see how he kicks on for Leicestershire in 2022."

Leicestershire have been busy since the end of the 2021 season with Will Davis, Rehan Ahmed, Louis Kimber and Lewis Hill all signing new contracts.

Afghanistan international Naveen-Ul-Haq, who was the leading wicket-taker in the T20 Blast, has also extended his stay at Grace Road for another year while Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Wiaan Mulder have been recruited as additional overseas signings.