The 29-year-old spin wizard will be joined by another as yet unnamed Pakistani Test player for the one day competition, which will be played under a league format this year.

Saqlain, whose county career at Surrey ended after eight years in 2005 following a knee operation, played 49 Test matches and 169 one-day internationals, including two World Cups.

His career in one-dayers for Pakistan lasted a decade from 1995, and he took 288 wickets.

The right-arm off-break bowler had his finest season in 2003 when he was the fastest bowler to reach 100 one-day wickets.

He also belongs to an elite category of spin bowlers who have claimed hat-tricks in one-day cricket on not one, but two occasions - both against Zimbabwe.

(Article: Copyright © 2006 AFP)

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