Hampshire have announced the signing of Pakistan seamer Mohammad Abbas for the first two months of the County Championship season.
Abbas will form part of an imposing new-ball partnership alongside Kyle Abbott, who will be the club's other overseas player in the early months of the season following the expiration of his Kolpak status. Hampshire have previously confirmed that Fidel Edwards will not return to the club, following five seasons as a Kolpak signing.
Abbas has previously spent two seasons in county cricket, taking 79 Championship wickets at 20.67 for Leicestershire between 2018 and 2019. He had signed for Nottinghamshire for the 2020 season, but his deal was cancelled due to the pandemic.
Giles White, the club's director of cricket, said: "We are really excited about the arrival of Mohammad Abbas. He is a bowler of the highest quality and to secure him for an early-season Championship stint is a huge boost to the squad.
"He joins Kyle Abbott as our second overseas signing and we are hopeful that they form a formidable pairing in early season conditions."
Hampshire had signed Nathan Lyon as their overseas player for the County Championship in 2020, but his move never materialised due to Covid-19's effect on the English summer. The club offered him the chance to return this year, but he declined their approach.
They have also been strongly linked with a move for Kyle Jamieson, though his availability is now very limited on account of New Zealand's involvement in the World Test Championship final, their Test series in England, and his stint at Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL.