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Inzy heading to Headingley

Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has signed for Yorkshire for the rest of the season.

Former Pakistan captain to replace Younis Khan for short spell

Former Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq has signed for County Championship challengers Yorkshire for the rest of the season, as an overseas replacement for compatriot Younis Khan. The 37-year-old batsman will head to Headingley to replace Younis, the White Rose county's regular overseas player, as he has left to play at the Twenty20 World Cup with Pakistan. Inzamam, not the most natural athlete in the game, is not involved in the tournament in South Africa and will step in to Younis' shoes at Yorkshire, as long as the deal is given the approval of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). "I was approached by Yorkshire county for a short stint and I have accepted it, as I see it as a great opportunity to keep my fitness for a hectic international season," said Inzamam.

Short spell

Inzamam will be playing in his first stint in English county cricket in his long and illustrious career. After quitting as Pakistan skipper following their first-round exit at the World Cup in March, Inzamam retired from international one-day cricket, but has stated his desire to play on with the Test team despite not being handed a central contract last month. Pakistan's selectors have said Inzamam will need to prove his fitness before he is considered for a place in the squad to face South Africa at home at the end of September. Just 20 runs short of overhauling Javed Miandad's mark of 8,832 runs as Pakistan's leading run-scorer in Test matches, Inzamam is desperate to face the Proteas and his stint at Yorkshire will help his fitness race. Inzamam is also thought to be considering an offer to play in the rebel Indian league, which is trying to recruit some of the top names around the world.
Tykes challenge
The signing underlines Yorkshire's desire to continue their challenge to win the County Championship this season, replacing Younis with an equally high-class international batsman. A scorer of 8,813 runs from 119 Test matches for Pakistan, Inzamam has 25 Test hundreds and averages over 50 in the Test arena. "Yorkshire have stated their determination to maintain their challenge for the LV Championship title in the strongest possible terms by signing former Pakistan Test captain Inzamam-ul-Haq," read a statement on the county's website. "His involvement with Yorkshire means that his first-class career is still very much alive."

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