Hampshire bring back Mohammad Abbas for County Championship stint

The Pakistani seamer will present a major challenge to Division One batsmen in spring conditions during April and May

Mohammad Abbas will return to Hampshire for the start of the LV= Insurance County Championship season.

Abbas returns to the Ageas Bowl for the first two months of the 2022 campaign, with the possibility that his stay could be extended.

The Pakistani seamer will present a major challenge to Division One batsmen in spring conditions during April and May.

He has already proved to be highly effective - both in international and domestic cricket - on these shores. 

^{Mohammad Abbas is returning to Hampshire (Gareth Copley/Getty Images)}

Last year, he collected 41 wickets at a miserly average of 16 for Hampshire, with three first-class five-wicket hauls and best figures of 6 for 11 against Middlesex.

"I'm delighted to be joining Hampshire again," Abbas was quoted as saying in a press release.

"I really enjoyed the environment and playing with this squad at a fantastic ground like the Ageas Bowl. I know there's a big desire at the club for silverware in the County Championship and hopefully I can play my part and contribute with the ball."

Abbas's arrival reunites him with Kyle Abbott, the South African seamer with whom the Pakistani will form a potent new-ball pair.

Hampshire's well balanced attack also includes the left-arm seam of Keith Barker, left-arm spin in the shape of Liam Dawson, Mason Crane's leg-spin, and a healthy quote of right-arm pacemen.

Alongside the acquisition of Ben Brown, the former Sussex wicketkeeper-batsman, and Nick Gubbins - who joined from Middlesex to open the innings last year - the county's recruitment appears to be setting them up nicely for a title tilt.

^{Abbas will join Kyle Abbott with the new ball (Alex Davidson/Getty Images)}

One area where they are perhaps still slightly light is a partner for Gubbins at the top of the order, though allrounder Ian Holland has proved to be an able deputy in the role and there are high hopes for Felix Organ.

Director of cricket, Giles White, said of Abbas's signing: "Mo showed everybody last year that he is a bowler of the highest quality.

"He's an extremely popular member of the squad, so we are thrilled he's agreed to come back and he joins Kyle Abbott as our second overseas signing."