Azhar Mahmood will not be offered a new Kent contract after this season due to his increasing involvement in the Indian and Sri Lankan Premier Leagues.

The 37-year-old former Pakistan all-rounder joined Kent in November 2007 after a spell with Surrey and assumed British citizenship so he could sign as a domestic player at the St Lawrence Ground this season.

Mahmood had earlier scored three Test centuries in a four-year career with Pakistan, for whom he also played 11 years of ODIs and appeared in three World Cups.

Mahmood (pictured) was released by the club on Wednesday morning to allow him to play for Wayamba United of the SLPL until the end of August.

Mahmood is due to return to Kent for the remainder of the season.

However his commitment to the IPL - where he signed for King's XI Punjab for $200,000 earlier this year - and SLPL next season has led to Kent opting not to renew his one-year contract after the season.

He could however still return to the county in 2013 on a Twenty20 contract.

A club statement said: "Azhar Mahmood’s contract for 2013 will not now be renewed, but discussions regarding a possible Twenty20 contract remain live."

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