Hampshire’s James Vince has quit red-ball cricket for 2025 in order to take up a Pakistan Super League deal.
Vince has signed a revision to the final year of his contract with Hampshire which fulfils his obligation to play in the 2025 Vitality Blast campaign but confirms that he has no plans to play red-ball cricket this year.
The move will allow him to play in the PSL, with Vince was retained by Karachi Kings.
To play in the PSL, the England and Wales Cricket Board’s new rules meant Vince had to become a white-ball specialist.
Those also on red-ball contracts are not granted a No-Objection Certificate for franchise tournaments that take place during the English season, with the exception of the Indian Premier League.
“I love Hampshire, it’s been my club and home for 16 years, so I want to be able to maintain my best to keep delivering for Hampshire in T20 cricket, and hopefully even further our success in the competition,” Vince said.
“I also need to understand what is best for my family, and combine that with the stage of my career I am at.
“I am so grateful to everyone at Utilita Bowl for supporting me last year through a really tough time, and for allowing me to make this next step.”
Vince has played in The Hundred for Southern Brave
In 2024, Vince endured a challenging year that saw several attacks take place on his family home. As a result, the family have taken the decision to move to Dubai.
Vince had been the club captain at Hampshire for a decade but will now step down from that position, although will remain skipper for the Vitality Blast.
Hampshire are the most successful domestic side in T20 history, having won the competition three times, with Vince, now 33, playing in all winning finals.
Giles White, Director of Cricket at Hampshire Cricket, said: “James has been at the heart of the club for the best part of 20 years, showing absolute commitment on and off the field as the team’s leading batter and captain.
“We recognise that this announcement will be tinged with disappointment for many fans but hope everyone will join us in celebrating what he has given to our club over many years and supporting him as he fulfils his commitment to continue leading the Hawks in the 2025 Vitality Blast.”
Vince has established himself as one of the club’s most successful batters, scoring over 22,000 runs across all formats and becoming the Vitality Blast’s all-time leading run scorer.
Vince was handed an England Test debut in 2016 and went on to represent his country more than 50 times.