London, January 15, 2025: England batter James Vince has announced that he will step away from first-class cricket for the 2025 season to play for Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025. The 33-year-old was retained by Karachi Kings ahead of the PSL draft on Monday.
Vince, who will continue to lead Hampshire’s T20 team, has stepped down as the club’s captain after nine seasons and will not participate in their County Championship campaign this summer. His decision follows the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) new policy restricting players from skipping domestic cricket commitments to play in overseas leagues.
In November, the ECB confirmed it would only grant No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to white-ball specialists for tournaments held during the English season, with the Indian Premier League (IPL) being the major exception.
“I love Hampshire; it’s been my club and home for 16 years. I want to maintain my best form for Hampshire in T20 cricket and continue our success in the Blast. I also need to consider what’s best for my family and where I am in my career,” Vince shared.
The Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision to move the PSL to an April-May window left Vince with a choice: skip the PSL or renegotiate his Hampshire contract to focus solely on white-ball cricket. Vince opted for the latter, citing a desire to prioritize his family and align with the current stage of his career.
Hampshire acknowledged that Vince’s decision to relocate his family to Dubai influenced the new arrangement, following a series of unexplained attacks on their home last year.
Giles White, Hampshire’s director of cricket, urged supporters to respect Vince’s decision. “James has been at the heart of the club for nearly 20 years, demonstrating commitment both on and off the field. We understand this announcement may disappoint many fans, but we ask everyone to celebrate his contributions and support him as he leads the Hawks in the 2025 Vitality Blast,” White said.
