Shahzad to part company with Yorkshire

Click here for all the latest news from the domestic cricket scene, including exclusive interviews, team news, match reports and photo galleries

Following prolonged discussions with the club, Ajmal Shahzad will move on from Yorkshire and continue his career at a new county

Yorkshire have confirmed that Ajmal Shahzad is to leave the club.

The Huddersfield-born seamer, who has represented England on 15 occasions in all forms of the game, became the first British-born Asian to play for Yorkshire when he made his county debut in May 2004 and has since established himself as an integral member of the White Rose attack.

However, following prolonged discussions with the club, Shahzad will now be given the opportunity to move on from Headingley Carnegie.

A Yorkshire statement read: “Following discussions between YCCC and Ajmal Shahzad, it has been jointly agreed that in the best interests of his development, Ajmal will be given the option to play for another club either under a new contract or on loan for the rest of the season, in order to establish himself with a new county.”

Martyn Moxon, the club’s director of cricket, added: “There has been a lot of discussion over a period of time with Ajmal regarding his cricket and it has been agreed by the club and the player that it is in the player's best interests that he pursues his career elsewhere. I would like to wish Ajmal every success in the future.'

Yorkshire chairman Colin Graves expressed his sadness at Shahzad’s impending departure.

“I am disappointed that Ajmal will be leaving as he is one of the brightest prospects of England's fast bowlers,” said Graves. “We wish Ajmal all the very best in the future and thank him for his contribution to Yorkshire cricket over the years.”

Shahzad said: “I would like to thank both the staff and supporters of YCCC for all the help and encouragement that I have received since I joined the staff, and wish the club lots of success in the coming years.

“I am now looking forward to the next chapter in my career and hope to push for further honours within the game.”

Want to know what's happening at your county? Interested in how your rivals are faring? Look no further than ecb.co.uk's county-by-county page