Yorkshire County Cricket Club have announced that exciting batting all-rounder Jawad Akhtar has signed a two-year maiden professional rookie contract with the county through until the end of 2026.

Akhtar, 18, has come through the county’s age-groups at Headingley from the age of 10 and has graduated from Yorkshire’s Academy.

He captained the Academy team which won the Under-18s County One-Day Cup at the start of last month, beating Middlesex in the final at Kibworth.

He played a crucial role too, scoring a fine 69 from the middle order in a 36-run triumph.

Akhtar is also a developing off-spin bowler from Wakefield who is a product of the Wakefield Thornes club. He is a graduate of the Yorkshire Cricket College.

James Martin, YCCC’s Head of Performance Pathway, said: “It’s always a special moment to see a player receive their first professional contract, especially someone who has come through our own Pathway system.

“Jawad can bat in a variety of positions within the order, similar to this he can bowl his off-spin in different phases of the game and he captained our Under-18s in the County Cup. The way he’s led from the front is a real credit to him.

“Jawad is making good progress and can play all three formats. Whether it’s a multi-day, one-day or T20 cricket, he’s so well rounded.

"He’d fit into any of those three and be able to contribute with bat, ball and in the field.”

In the last two seasons, right-handed Akhtar has scored centuries for the Yorkshire Academy/Under-18s and for the county’s second team.

Jawad Akhtar taking a rare back seat at the non-striker's end.Jawad Akhtar taking a rare back seat at the non-striker's end. (Image: Yorkshire CCC.)

The latter two came in the final two second-team matches of 2024 last month.

Batting at number five, he scored 111 and 106 in the first innings of four-day Championship matches against Lancashire at Southport and Middlesex at Merchant Taylors’ School.

He debuted for Yorkshire’s second team in 2023.

Martin added: “Jawad is a cricketer who has come through our Pathway since the age of under-10 and has earned his reward for all his hard work with this contract.

“But it’s also a huge credit to his family, his wider support network, the Yorkshire Cricket College, Wakefield Thornes and all of our coaches who have played their part in his development."

Akhtar is the third player to progress from the Yorkshire Academy on to the professional staff since the start of July, following team-mates Noah Kelly and Alex Wade.