LONDON, July 3: England county Hampshire have been denied the chance to sign fast bowler Sohail Tanvir by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Sohail had hoped to become Hampshire’s third overseas player of the season but the PCB refused him the permission to head to the Rose Bowl after the Asia Cup, which ends this weekend.

Sohail is one of the brightest fast-bowling prospects in the sub-continent and the 23-year-old hoped a spell with Hampshire would broaden his cricket education.

Sohail was a revelation, taking a world-record 6-14 in one game before finishing as competition’s leading wicket-taker (22 wickets) as the Rajasthan Royals clinched the IPL.

“The (Hampshire) offer came because of Warne who felt a stint with Hampshire would help me further polish my skills. I asked the PCB for clearance but they said it would be better if I remained with (Pakistan) team and prepared for the upcoming assignments including the ICC Champions Trophy,” Sohail stated.—Agencies