Sussex have signed a second fast bowler in as many weeks with the capture of former England international Ajmal Shahzad from Nottinghamshire.
The 29-year-old has secured an early release from his contract at Trent Bridge in order to sign a three-year deal with Sussex, keeping him at the BrightonandHoveJobs.com County Ground until the end of the 2017 season.
Shahzad adds to a bowling department that was bolstered with the arrival of highly-rated left-armer Tymal Mills from Essex last week.
The bowling all-rounder started his career at home county Yorkshire and, after falling out of favour and joining Roses rivals Lancashire on loan, made the move to Nottinghamshire on a three-year contract in October 2012.
Shahzad was part of the Outlaws side that beat Glamorgan to win the Yorkshire Bank 40 at Lord's in his maiden season at the club.
Ajmal Shahzad has signed a three-year deal with Sussex #ThankYouAjmal@ajshahzadpic.twitter.com/rrjYi8frw2
— Nottinghamshire CCC (@TrentBridge) November 7, 2014
He was again a regular in Notts' limited-overs side in 2014, taking 24 wickets as the Outlaws suffered quarter-final and semi-final exits in the NatWest T20 Blast and Royal London One-Day Cup respectively, but played only eight matches in the LV= County Championship.
The paceman, who has represented England in one Test, 11 one-day internationals and three Twenty20s, said: “It has come about quickly but I’m just delighted to be down here with a great squad, great management, surrounded by good people and I hope it brings out the best in me.
“This move has been made purely for cricketing reasons and I’m hoping to get the best I can out of it to progress my career. I’d like to thank Notts for being so understanding.”
Shahzad has taken 201 wickets in 80 first-class matches and is also a capable lower-order batsman, averaging 24.25.
Sussex’s professional cricket manager Mark Robinson added: “We’re delighted that Ajmal is joining us. He is a cricketer of great ability and who hasn’t yet fulfilled all of his potential.
EXCLUSIVE: @AJShahzad spoke to Sussex TV as he sealed his move to Sussex on a three-year deal. Follow link to watch.. http://t.co/iiWwRhFxfv
— Sussex CCC (@SussexCCC) November 7, 2014
“He can bowl with a yard of pace and has the potential to be a genuine bowling all-rounder.
“We hope he can have a similar impact that Chris Jordan had, and fulfil the same role helping balance the team.”
Nottinghamshire director of cricket Mick Newell told the club's official website: “Ajmal’s form with the white ball was very good but he didn’t make quite the impact that he would have wanted in our four-day side.
“This might influence the manner in which we recruit our overseas players next season with an eye on limited-overs cricket and it’s highly likely that we’ll have two bowlers who have been selected to specialise at different stages of the season.
“In red-ball cricket, I see this as an opportunity for us to promote from within and we’ll be looking to Andy Carter, Jake Ball, Brett Hutton and Luke Wood to make a claim for a place.”