CRICKET: The Irish Cricket Union have signed Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi to play for Ireland during the upcoming Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy.

Less than 24 hours after another Pakistan Test player Abdul Razzaq announced he was pulling out of the squad, the ICU managed to secure the services of Afridi who is still regarded as one of the most dynamic one-day batsmen in the game and a more-than-useful leg-spin bowler.

Afridi (26), will line out for Ireland alongside his Pakistan team-mate, off-spinner Saqlain Mustaq who has already committed to the ICU for the duration of the tournament. He has played 23 Test matches, scoring 1,620 runs at an average of almost 40. He hit successive centuries in the recent Test series against India.

But he is probably best known as a one-day player, a regular fixture as a pinch hitter at the top of the Pakistan batting order for nearly 10 years. He has played 219 one-day internationals, scoring 4,819 runs and taking 179 wickets. He is the holder of the fastest century in one-day internationals, from just 37 balls, a knock that included 11 sixes against Sri Lanka in 1996.

It is that kind of form Ireland will be looking to him to show in the C&G Trophy which gets under way with a game against defending champions Hampshire in Clontarf on April 23rd.

"We are naturally delighted to have secured the services of Shahid Afridi," said an ICU spokesman. "His explosive batting and leg-spin bowling will be a great addition to the Ireland team, and his presence is sure to prove a real crowd-puller."

It is a little strange, however, the ICU has decided to sign two spinners when most observers would suggest a pace bowler is what is most needed.

Ireland will play nine games against country opposition before the end of June, with the entire Hampshire game televised live on Sky Sports. Afridi helped his former club Leicestershire to the 2001 C&G Trophy final.