Hampshire extend Shafayat deal

Hampshire have extended Bilal Shafayat's deal until the end of the season. He was initially signed on a short-term contract.

Shafayat, 27, joined Hampshire as batting cover at the start of May when Jimmy Adams, who was injured, and Michael Carberry, playing for England Lions, were both unavailable. Shafayat scored 93 against Derbyshire on debut - his first appearance in the County Championship since 2010 - and will now provide strength in depth until at least the end of the season.

He left Nottinghamshire for the second time at the end of the 2010 season, having joined Northamptonshire for a two-year spell in 2004, and spent 2011 playing for several second XIs to try and boost his prospects of earning a new contract.

He played twice for Hampshire second XI, scoring a double-hundred against Glamorgan and a century against Middlesex, two games for Sussex second XI and once for Northamptonshire seconds. Another Hampshire second XI appearance at the start of 2012 earned him his short-term deal.

"I've been in the training sessions, been involved with the seconds and travelled with the squad on a couple of occasions and I had a good feeling about Hampshire," Shafayat said. "The people in charge have shown some backing in me and support for me once again which, at this stage in my career, is very important."