Afridi to link up with Northants for T20 Blast

English county side Northamptonshire have signed Pakistan allrounder Shahid Afridi for six matches of the 2015 Natwest T20 Blast competition.

Afridi, who will join up with the Northants squad on 20 May, played a starring role for another county side Hampshire in 2011, when he took 17 wickets in 10 matches at an average of 11.17.

Northamptonshire coach David Ripley said: "This is a very exciting signing for us. Shahid is without doubt the most outstanding spin bowling all-rounder in one day international cricket of the last five years.
 
"He is a fierce competitor and undoubted match winner with bat and ball."

Afridi, who is the current Pakistan T20 captain, has a wealth of T20 experience having amassed 230 matches all around the world, including 77 International matches.
 
Ripley continued: "Afridi brings a wealth of experience to the dressing room with over 230 Twenty20 games as well as captaining his country."

The 34 year-old Afridi said: "I am looking forward to playing in the NatWest T20 Blast. I have always enjoyed playing in England, where I have always found the crowds good natured and knowledgeable.

"I am very happy to be joining a good Northants squad in the search for Twenty20 success."

The deal is still subject to clearance from the Pakistan Cricket Board.

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