Mahmood in Kent switch
Azhar Mahmood played 139 one-day games © Getty Images
Kent have signed 32-year-old former Surrey and Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood on a two-year deal.
Having settled in the UK and decided to give up international cricket, Mahmood recently applied for British Citizenship. He expects to receive confirmation of his new status shortly and will play for Kent as an English-qualified player.
On signing for the current Twenty20 champions, Mahmood commented: “This is a big move for me in more ways than one. I look back on my days with Surrey with great fondness, but the opportunity to utilise my British passport and join a county such as Kent is one that will provide a fresh challenge for me and it’s something I’m really looking forward to.
Kent has always been a county that I have respected and it will now become my cricketing home. I will be giving it my all, on and off the field. Robert Key and Graham Ford have plans for the club and I want to work with them and the rest of the squad in building on 2007’s success.”
The fast-medium bowler and middle-order batsman made his entry into the Test arena against South Africa in 1997, scoring 128 in the first innings and 50 in the second without dismissal. During his career with Pakistan he made 21 Test appearances and played 139 one-day internationals.
Kent captain, Robert Key, added: “We are thrilled to have secured Azhar’s services. He is a proven cricketer of the highest level and will bring a vast amount of experience to our squad. He has been successful in all forms of cricket and, in our recent discussions with him, has shown a real desire to bring further success to Kent.”
