Saif Zaib Ends 13-Year Stint at Northamptonshire

After 13 seasons with Northamptonshire, batting allrounder Saif Zaib has made the decision to part ways with the club. The 28-year-old will leave despite having one year still left on his deal.

A report suggests that Hampshire are the likely next destination for Zaib. No official confirmation has been issued by either side at this stage.

Zaib first featured for Northamptonshire in List A cricket in 2014. Since then, he has appeared in more than 200 matches for the county. He has told the club that he will depart once the 2026 campaign concludes.

Speaking about his association with the club, Zaib expressed his pride in wearing the Northamptonshire colours. He highlighted how much the club had meant to him over the years and spoke of the friendships and experiences he had built there. He also thanked supporters for their affection and encouragement.

His performances in recent years have been outstanding. In the 2025 County Championship Division Two, he was the leading run-scorer with 1,425 runs from 14 matches, at an average of 64.77. He had earlier hit six hundreds and seven fifties in 23 innings during the previous season.

This season has also been productive, with 856 runs at 42.80, including three centuries and five half-centuries. Zaib also played for Southern Brave in The Hundred and has been part of the Canada Super60 and the Nepal Premier League.

Northamptonshire, in a statement, said the player had made clear at the close of the season that he did not see his future with the club. Discussions took place to try to change his mind, but he has now decided to leave.

Hampshire, who were relegated from Division One this season, are keen to return to the top tier at the earliest opportunity. The county has already signed Rishi Patel and Fin Hudson-Prentice, and it is looking to add further depth after James Vince and Liam Dawson announced their retirement from red-ball cricket.