Pakistan's Azhar Mahmood. Photo / NZPA
Former Pakistani allrounder Azhar Mahmood is to join Auckland for the defence of the T20 title this summer.
Mahmood is Auckland's second import, after former New Zealand international Andre Adams, for the campaign, starting on December 18.
The 36-year-old, who has just re-signed for two more seasons with English county
Kent where he was voted their player of the year, played 21 tests, hitting three centuries, and 143 ODIs.
In the English T20 competition, the big-hitting Mahmood scored 485 runs - fifth highest aggregate overall - at 40.41, with an imposing strike rate of 143.91, and one century, off 57 balls, against Gloucestershire. He took 14 wickets in his 15 games at 29.5.
"We want to continue the winning run we've had," Auckland Cricket chief executive Mark Cameron said. "Obviously we did extremely well last year and hope Azhar will improve our chances in that regard."
