AZHAR MAHMOOD is to return to Surrey for this year's Friends Life t20 campaign, it has been announced.
The Pakistan all-rounder, who spent six years at the club between 2002 and 2007 before moving to Kent, is currently impressing with Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League, but he will join up with Surrey ahead of their opening T20 game against Hampshire on June 26.
He is one of the most experienced seam bowlers in the history of T20 cricket, having taken 190 wickets in 170 games, making him the fourth highest T20 wicket taker of all time.
And Mahmood, who qualifies as a non-overseas player having become a British citizen in 2011, says he is excited about coming back to Surrey.
He said: "It feels very special to be coming back to Surrey and the Kia Oval. I enjoyed my time with Kent but ever since I left Surrey in 2007 I was always getting messages from Surrey fans and supporters asking when I was coming back, so I say thank you especially to Chris Adams and Alec Stewart in bringing me home.
"Obviously it is a very different set up to when I was last at Surrey and Twenty20 cricket has gone from strength to strength so it's exciting times ahead.
"I like the squad Surrey have for Twenty20. It looks strong and a real mix of youth and experience, and I look forward to catching up with the guys when I get back from India."
Surrey team director Chris Adams added that to have such a high skilled player of Mahmood's quality was a real bonus for the club, adding that he comes with a wealth of experience and a great record behind him.
The Pakistan all-rounder, who spent six years at the club between 2002 and 2007 before moving to Kent, is currently impressing with Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League, but he will join up with Surrey ahead of their opening T20 game against Hampshire on June 26.
He is one of the most experienced seam bowlers in the history of T20 cricket, having taken 190 wickets in 170 games, making him the fourth highest T20 wicket taker of all time.
And Mahmood, who qualifies as a non-overseas player having become a British citizen in 2011, says he is excited about coming back to Surrey.
He said: "It feels very special to be coming back to Surrey and the Kia Oval. I enjoyed my time with Kent but ever since I left Surrey in 2007 I was always getting messages from Surrey fans and supporters asking when I was coming back, so I say thank you especially to Chris Adams and Alec Stewart in bringing me home.
"Obviously it is a very different set up to when I was last at Surrey and Twenty20 cricket has gone from strength to strength so it's exciting times ahead.
"I like the squad Surrey have for Twenty20. It looks strong and a real mix of youth and experience, and I look forward to catching up with the guys when I get back from India."
Surrey team director Chris Adams added that to have such a high skilled player of Mahmood's quality was a real bonus for the club, adding that he comes with a wealth of experience and a great record behind him.
