Zaman Akhter, 26, has signed a three-year deal with Essex Cricket and will join the club at the end of the 2025 season after leaving Gloucestershire.
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.
Having achieved multi-format five-wicket hauls and England Lions recognition before turning 26, Zaman Akhter now joins Essex as the latest addition to strengthen what is widely regarded as one of the county circuit’s best seam attacks.
Upon signing for the Club, Zaman said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining Essex. It’s a great club with a rich history and a strong winning culture, and I can’t wait to get started.
“I’m really looking forward to contributing on and off the field, learning from some outstanding players and coaches.
“Speaking to Chris (Silverwood), it’s a really exciting time and hopefully I can thrive at Essex to help contribute to their future success.”
Director of Cricket Chris Silverwood, said: “We are really excited to bring ‘Zum’ into the group.
“He is a player we’ve had our eye on for a while and we really believe his quality will add and strengthen our bowling group.
“I look forward to working closely with Zaman over the winter period when we prepare for the 2026 season, integrating him into the squad and our plans for the season ahead
