Shafayat extends Notts stay

Bilal Shafayat has been given a new deal at Trent Bridge despite Mick Newell saying his 2009 form was "disappointing"

Nottinghamshire batsman Bilal Shafayat has signed a new contract to stay at Trent Bridge for a further season.

The 26-year-old averaged just 23.09 in 13 LV= County Championship matches this summer, but he has been given another year in which to prove himself to the Nottinghshire hierachy.

Shafayat - a former England Under-19 international - became the youngest player in Nottinghamshire’s history to play a championship game when he made his debut six days before his 17th birthday in 2001, scoring 72 against Middlesex.

He followed that up with 104 against Worcestershire in 2002, making him the youngest player to record a century for the county.

However, he failed to fulfil his potential at Notts and spent two seasons at Northamptonshire before returning to Trent Bridge in 2008.

“Bilal offers competition amongst the batsmen and he’s our back-up wicketkeeper so there’s an important role for him to play in our squad,” said Nottinghamshire director of cricket Mick Newell.

“He had a disappointing season in 2009 and he’s keen to contribute more next year. We’ve had a few discussions and he’s very keen to compete for a place here because it’s his home town club.

“We need to see a bit more from him and he’s determined to show that his future lies at Trent Bridge.