Hasan Ali joins Lancashire for County Championship 2022

Pakistan pacer Hasan Ali has signed a six-match county deal with Lancashire for the 2022 season of England's premier red-ball competition.

Ali, who was in red-hot form for Pakistan in Test cricket last year, has come as the ninth cricketer from the country to sign a county contract for the nearing season. Apart from the speedster, Mohammad Rizwan, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Shan Masood, Azhar Ali and Zafar Gohar will be seen playing for their respective counties.

The 27-year-old opened up on his upcoming county stint as he joined the club that once featured Wasim Akram, Mohammad Yousuf, Yasir Arafat and Junaid Khan.

"I am very excited at the prospect of playing county cricket in England for the first time in my career. Emirates Old Trafford is a stadium which holds special memories for me, after making my T20 International debut against England there in 2016," Ali said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

"I am very proud to follow in the footsteps of Wasim Akram, a Pakistan legend, who always talks so highly of his time with Lancashire. I can't wait to join up with the squad in April and I hope to make a significant contribution in the games that I play," he added.

Ali will join the Lancashire squad following the conclusion of Australia's all-format tour of Pakistan. He will be available for the county from April 14 to May 19.

"He will arrive at Emirates Old Trafford on April 1 and will be in contention to make his English county debut against Kent at Canterbury on April 14. Hasan will be available until after Lancashire's match against Essex which starts on May 19 at Emirates Old Trafford," the statement from Lancashire read.

Lancashire head coach Glen Chapple is delighted after acquiring Ali's services as the fast bowler is expected to strengthen the team through his skills.

"We are delighted to have signed Hasan for the first six matches of this summer's County Championship. We've been carefully assessing our options and looking to add the right overseas player to help us achieve our goals," Chapple mentioned.

"Hasan is a high-quality player and has a fine record in First-Class and Test match cricket. We believe that his red ball skills will complement our bowling attack nicely and that the experience he has gained at international level can bring a lot into our dressing room," he concluded.