Hampshire's James Vince has left red-ball cricket for 2025 to take up a contract with Pakistan in the Super League.
Vince has signed a review into the final year of his contract with Hampshire which fulfills his commitment to play in the 2025 Vitality Blast campaign, but confirms he has no plans to play red-ball cricket this year.
The move will allow him to play in the PSL and Vince has been retained by the Karachi Kings.
To play in the PSL, new England and Wales Cricket Board rules meant that Vince had to become a white ball specialist.
Those also on red-ball contracts do not receive a no-objection certificate for franchise tournaments held 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 do my best to continue to deliver results for Hampshire in T20 cricket, and hopefully improve our success in the competition even further,” he said is Vince.
“I also have to figure out what's best for my family and combine that with the career stage I'm at.
“I'm very grateful to everyone at the Utilita Bowl for supporting me last year through a really tough time and allowing me to take the next step.”
Vince played in The Hundred for the Southern Braves
In 2024, Vince endured a challenging year that saw several attacks on his family home. As a result, the family made the decision to move to Dubai.
Vince captained the club in Hampshire for a decade, but will now step down from that position, although he will remain captain of the Vitality Blast.
Hampshire are the most successful home side in T20 history, winning the competition three times, and Vince, now 33, has played in all of the winning finals.
Giles White, Director of Cricket at Hampshire Cricket, said: “James has been at the heart of the club for over 20 years, showing absolute commitment on and off the field as a leading batsman and team captain.
“We realize this announcement will be tinged with disappointment for many fans, but we hope everyone will join us in celebrating what he has given our club over many years and support him as he fulfills his commitment to continue leading the Hawks in the Vitality Blast 2025.”
Vince established himself as one of the club's most successful batsmen, scoring over 22,000 runs across all formats and becoming the Vitality Blast's all-time leading run-scorer.
Vince made his England Test debut in 2016 and went on to represent his country over 50 times.