LONDON, April 2: Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has signed a one-year deal to play for Hampshire, the English county side said on Wednesday.

All-rounder Wasim replaces banned Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne as the county’s second overseas player for the 2003 season. Australian batsman Simon Katich is also at the club.

Warne had signed a two-year contract with Hampshire but was suspended in Feb for 12 months after testing positive for banned diuretics.

The 33-year-old returned home from South Africa before Australia’s first match of the World Cup after he admitted taking a fluid-reducing pill given to him by his mother to help him slim.

Wasim, who enjoyed a successful county career with Lancashire from 1988 to 1998, said he was looking forward to a fresh challenge.

“I was impressed by the enthusiasm and ideas shown by Hampshire and am delighted to join such a progressive county,” Wasim said in a statement on Hampshire’s website.

“For me it is a fresh challenge and a new chapter in my career. The aim is for Hampshire to gain promotion in both competitions this year and I hope to be able to play a part in that ambition.”

Pakistan’s leading wicket-taker in Tests and One-day Internationals became the first bowler in history to reach the milestone of 500 One-day International victims when he bowled Dutchman Nick Statham at the World Cup.

But the 36-year-old did not enjoy the swansong he wanted as Pakistan’s talented but inconsistent side failed to make the second round.

He was among eight senior players dropped by Pakistan for the Sharjah tournament which begins on Thursday.—Reuters