English county Hampshire said on Friday that they have secured the services of Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal next season as a two-month replacement for Australia Twenty20 skipper George Bailey. The 35-year-old Ajmal, who has taken 122 wickets in 23 Tests and was instrumental in Pakistan's win over England in the United Arab Emirates earlier this year, will play in August and September when Bailey joins Australia's limited-overs squad.
Bailey is likely to be involved in Australia's T20 internationals against visitors England. "I am very pleased to be joining Hampshire to play in the County Championship," said Ajmal, who has previously turned out for Worcestershire in the 2011 campaign. "I have always enjoyed playing in England and look forward to playing my part in helping Hampshire get promoted," he added in a statement on the club's website ageasbowl.com.
The southern English county start next season in the second division. The arrival of Ajmal - described by Hampshire manager Giles Smith as "one of the best bowlers in the world in all forms of the game - will be vital if young left-arm spinner Danny Briggs is also involved in the England-Australia ODIs.