da betobet： Pakistan Test all-rounder Abdur Razzaq has signed a two-year contractwith the English county side Middlesex, according to details availablehere Wednesday
12-Jul-2001Pakistan Test all-rounder Abdur Razzaq has signed a two-year contractwith the English county side Middlesex, according to details availablehere Wednesday.Razzaq, who toured England with the Pakistan squad recently, will playfor the division two county side in 2002 and 2003.Middlesex coach John Emburey was delighted at Razzaq’s signing for thenorth London club.”We were primarily looking for a strike bowler and Razzaq fits thebill perfectly. He is a magnificent addition to our squad and the clubis very excited at obtaining his services for the next two years,” theformer England off-spinner commented.Razzaq, who bats and bowls right-handed, was also quite excited. “OnceI knew of their interest, Middlesex was the only place I wanted to go.The prospect of playing at Lord’s is a dream come true.”Thus, Razzaq is tipped to join compatriot Saqlain Mushtaq on thecounty circuit next year. Saqlain, the 24-year-old off-spinner, hasbeen one of Surrey’s star performers. The south London county won theCounty Championship in the past two seasons – 1999 and 2000 – withSaqlain playing a pivotal role.Middlesex also announced the signing of left-handed opening batsmanSven Koenig for the 2002 season. He qualifies under the European Union(EU) Regulations as he is an Italian national.Koenig topped the South African first-class averages in the 2000-01season at an average of 63.09.New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming is Middlesex’s current overseasplayer.Emburey paid tribute to the Kiwi left-handed batsman. “Stephen hasdone a magnificent job for us and I am certain he will continue to doso until the end of the season. Due to international commitments, heis unable to return next year.”Both he and Justin Langer (the Australian Test left-hander) have beenoutstanding ambassadors and Middlesex were fortunate to have these twogreat players over the past four seasons.”Meanwhile, Shahid Afridi, the hard-hitting Pakistan all-rounder, madean inauspicious start to his short stint with Leicestershire in theCheltenham & Gloucester Trophy one-day fixture against Nottingham atTrent Bridge Wednesday.Afridi, who joined the Midland county side after Leicestershire’soverseas signing Daniel Marsh, the Tasmanian all-rounder, sustained aserious injury during a championship match against Surrey last week.The 21-year-old Afridi claimed two wickets for 40 runs in eight overswith his brisk leg-spinners as Nottinghamshire were restricted to 176in 40.4 overs. The right-hander then smashed 23 off 28 balls with twofours and one six before he was caught behind by wicket-keeper ChrisRead off paceman Greg Smith.Marsh, the 27-year-old son of ex-Australian Test wicket-keeper Rodney,has been ruled out of the remainder of the current English season.Afridi will stay with Leceistershire until Sept 6, when he is requiredto join the Pakistan squad.Azhar Mahmood is set to make his debut for Kent later this week. Theall-rounder, like Afridi, has signed an abbreviated contract for areported sum of 20,000 pounds as a late replacement for South AfricanTest batsman Daryll Cullinan, who was forced to terminate his stintfollowing a knee injury.