England and Hampshire cricketer James Vince, on Wednesday, announced that he is moving to Dubai permanently after his house and car got attacked several times last year and left his young family fearing for their safety.

He also quit First-Class cricket to play for Karachi Kings in the upcoming Pakistan Super League, after defying ECB’s diktat of not granting NOCs for its cricketers to appear in the T20 competition.

The England board decided in November 2024 not to provide NOCs to all-format players to compete in the PSL, which is set for April-May this season, because the league coincides with the County Championship's early rounds.

Vince, who has played 13 Tests, was set to lead Hampshire again this season, but the Kings retained him before the PSL selection.

He stated that his move to shift family to Dubai was the attacks on his family home, which were then a case of mistaken identity.

“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 [the Blast]. 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 was quoted by BBC.

Giles White, Hampshire’s director of cricket, said they respected Vince’s decision.

“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 recognize 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,” White said.

From 216 First-Class matches, Vince has scored 13340 runs at an average of 40 with 30 hundreds.

(PTI inputs)