Mohammad Abbas joins Nottinghamshire for 2020 Championship spell

Nottinghamshire have signed Pakistan seamer Mohammad Abbas as one of their overseas players for 2020. Abbas will be available to play in nine Championship games for Notts before joining up with Pakistan's Test squad to play England in July.

Having suffered relegation to Division Two last summer, Notts will be hoping Abbas can spearhead an immediate return to the top tier. As well as an outstanding Test record, with 66 wickets at 20.37 in his 15 appearances, Abbas has enjoyed two spells in county cricket with Leicestershire, claiming 79 victims at 20.67.

"He's a high-calibre player," Nottinghamshire head coach, Peter Moores, said. "He came into Test cricket late, but his impact at that level has been fantastic; almost unprecedented actually.

"We also know from what he's done with Leicestershire that he can perform in English conditions and can excel within a county schedule that can be quite demanding on quick bowlers. He'll strengthen our bowling considerably, as well as being a mentor for our younger bowlers who can learn a lot from the way he plays the game."

Abbas, 29, was Man of the Series on Pakistan's last visit to England, in 2017, with match figures of 8 for 64 helping his team to win at Lord's. He has, however, recently had some trouble coming back from a shoulder injury and was left out of Pakistan's side for the first Test against Australia before taking 0 for 100 at Adelaide.

Abbas said: "Trent Bridge is a brilliant venue to call home and I can't wait to join Nottinghamshire next summer. The club is steeped in history and I'm looking forward to giving my all to get them back up into the top division of Championship cricket.

"I've really enjoyed my past couple of summers playing in England and I'm excited for the domestic season to start again in April."