Northants eye Shakib signing

Shakib Al Hasan, the Bangladesh allrounder, is among the candidates shortlisted to be Northamptonshire's second overseas player in this summer's Friends Life t20 competition.

Shakib, the 24-year-old left-arm spinner who is currently rated as the world's best allrounder in the ICC's Test rankings, has previously enjoyed two successful spells at Worcestershire. He took 42 first-class wickets at an average of 21.66 in just nine games for the club in 2010, while in 2011 he played 12 T20 games, averaging 9.16 with the bat. He proved a potent bowler, however, claiming 19 wickets at 16.57 apiece and conceding an average of 6.84 runs an over.

"He is one of three or four overseas players we are considering," David Capel, Northamptonshire's director of cricket, said. "But it would be premature to say he is definitely coming." Northamptonshire have already secured the services of Chaminda Vaas as one of their overseas players for 2012.

While Northants were obliged to cancel their plans for an overseas tour of South Africa due to financial constraints, it is understood that a couple of private sponsors have emerged to cover the costs of a second overseas player.