KENT signed former Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood on a two-year deal today (Thursday).

Mahmood is expecting to receive British citizenship soon and will play for the reigning Twenty20 champions as an English-qualified player.

The 32-year-old fast-medium bowler and middle-order batsman made his test debut for Pakistan against South Africa in 1997 and scored 128 in the first innings and 50 in the second without dismissal.

He went on to play 21 Tests for his country and 139 one day international and has experience of county cricket with Surrey.

Mahmood said: "The opportunity to utilise my British passport and join a county such as Kent is one that will provide a fresh challenge for me and is something I am really looking forward to.

"Kent has always been a county that I have respected and will now become my cricketing home. I will be giving it my all, on and off the field.

"Robert Key and Graham Ford have plans for the club and I want to work with them and the rest of the squad in building on 2007’s success."

Kent skipper Rob Key said: "We are thrilled to have secured Azhar’s services. He is a proven cricketer at the highest level and will bring a vast amount of experience to our squad.

"He has been successful in all forms of cricket and, in our recent discussions with his, has shown a real desire to bring further success to Kent."