Leicestershire sign Nabi for T20

Mohammad Nabi is to join Leicestershire as an overseas player for their 2018 T20 campaign.

Nabi, the veteran Afghanistan allrounder, is a vastly experienced white-ball cricketer with more than 150 international appearances behind him. He is currently placed at No. 11 in the ICC ODI bowling rankings and 22nd in the T20I rankings. He is third in both the ODI and T20I allrounder ratings.

As well as his experience in international cricket, Nabi features regularly in T20 leagues around the world. He recently represented Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash and will play for Sunrisers Hyderabad in this year's IPL. He has previously played club cricket in England.

Leicestershire had already announced the signing of Pakistan's Mohammad Abbas as their other overseas player in the T20 competition.

"I know all about Mohammad Nabi's qualities in the game," Paul Nixon, Leicestershire head coach, said. "He can make a huge impact in our middle order and is an offbreak bowler who operates with great control and skill.

"Nabi has a brilliant white-ball record for Afghanistan and in T20 competitions around the world. He is exactly the type of player that we were looking for and is somebody who will fit in beautifully here."

Underlining the development of Afghan cricket, Nabi will be joined on the county circuit by team-mate Rashid Khan who has signed to play for Sussex in the Blast.