Imad Wasim, the Pakistani international, has joined Notts Outlaws as the second overseas player for the T20 Vitality Blast.
Wasim goes straight into the squad to face Derbyshire Falcons this evening and is set for his home debut against Leicestershire Foxes on Saturday.
A left-arm spinning all-rounder with 87 international caps, Wasim joins the Outlaws having featured for his country at the ICC Cricket World Cup, averaging 54 with the bat and conceding less than five runs-per-over with the ball.
He took the wickets of Joe Root and Jos Buttler in the Royal London One-Day International between England and Pakistan at Trent Bridge in May.
“I can’t wait to represent the Outlaws in T20 cricket,” said the 30-year-old.
“Trent Bridge is a wonderful ground with fans who are passionate and knowledgeable.
“They were a generous audience during the One-Day International earlier this year and Trent Bridge under floodlights looked amazing.
“My aim is to contribute to the Outlaws going all the way. They did it in 2017 and we have an exciting squad with lots of international talent that’s capable of doing it again.”
Wasim has 129 wickets to his name in T20 cricket at an average of under 25, with a miserly economy rate of 6.28.
His 147 appearances in the shortest format include 35 matches for Pakistan and stints in the Caribbean Premier League and Bangladesh Super League.
“With the nature of the international schedule, it’s a very difficult market in which to sign overseas players – far more difficult than it used to be,” said Nottinghamshire Director of Cricket, Mick Newell.
“With Imad becoming available on the back of the World Cup, we acted as quickly as possible to secure him.
“The paperwork and clearances have taken a little bit of extra time, meaning we’ve had to start the tournament without him.
“But it’s good to now be welcoming him into the squad ahead of the next fixture against Derbyshire.
“He brings an additional spin bowling option that we think we can benefit from and he’ll strengthen our middle-order batting as well.
“With the venue we’ve got here at Trent Bridge and with the level of support we get here now, we are an attractive proposition to overseas cricketers.”
Wasim is expected to be available for the remainder of the tournament, with the exception of the matches against Leicestershire Foxes and Yorkshire Vikings on 23 and 25 August respectively.
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Following a record midweek crowd of 13,691 against Northamptonshire Steelbacks, there are five further opportunities to catch the Outlaws in T20 action at Trent Bridge this summer.