Naseem Shah has signed a deal with Leicestershire for the start of the T20 Blast.

Cricket General

Naseem Shah has signed a deal with Leicestershire for the start of the T20 Blast.

Leicestershire CCC is excited to announce the signing of Pakistan international Naseem Shah on a short-term deal for the start of the Vitality Blast.

The right-arm quick will act as cover for Naveen-ul-Haq, who remains in India following Lucknow Super Giants’ progression to the IPL playoffs.

The 20-year-old has taken 191 career wickets to date, including 73 in T20 cricket at an average of 29.75, conceding at under eight runs per over.

The Afghanistan seamer's Lucknow Super Giants side face Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator on Wednesday (May 24) less than 24 hours before the Running Foxes kick off their campaign at Lancashire Lightning.

Naveen is also set to miss the matches against Birmingham Bears (May 26) and Worcestershire Rapids (May 29).

An all-format Pakistan international, Naseem has taken 73 wickets in 76 T20s with an economy rate of 7.80.

He played three times for Gloucestershire in last season's Blast, a spell that was cut short by having to leave the club for personal reasons. He was also forced to withdraw from the men's Hundred - having been due to represent Welsh Fire - after being called up by Pakistan.