Mohammed Rizvi was missing from the North Middlesex starting line-up on Saturday as he made a winning debut for Leicestershire Foxes [Steven Fletcher/www.focuscomms.co.uk]

EAGLE-EYED followers might have noticed Mohammed Rizvi’s name was missing from North Middlesex’s starting line-up on Saturday.

That’s because the leg spinner had switched his sights from the Premier Division of the Middlesex County League to Wednesday’s Metro Bank One-Day Cup competition after signing professional terms with Leicestershire County Cricket Club.

And while Rizvi made a somewhat subdued debut, he still had plenty to celebrate as the Foxes began their campaign with a nail-biting two-wicket victory over Gloucestershire.

All-rounder Rizvi was one of the original cohort of players to join South Asian Cricket Academy (SACA) when it was established in 2022.

In August last year he became the 17th player to graduate from SACA into the professional ranks when he signed for Kent on a Metro Bank One-Day Cup contact.

In now signing for Leicestershire, Rizvi becomes the second SACA player to re-sign professional terms with a county side, following in the footsteps of Yadvinder Singh, who joined Leicestershire earlier this year having previously also signed as a professional with Worcestershire.

“I’m incredibly proud and grateful to be joining Leicestershire,” said Rizvi. “This opportunity means a great deal to me, especially knowing the hard work, sacrifice and perseverance it’s taken to get back to this point.

“I’m thankful for the faith the club has shown in me and excited to prove myself again. I can’t wait to get started and contribute to the team’s success.

“I’d also like to thank everyone at SACA and my close friends and family for providing me with the platform and support to develop as both a player and a person.”