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Former Pakistan Test cricketer Atiq-uz-Zaman has moved to Bolton as he bids to land himself a county contract in the domestic game.

Wicketkeeper Zaman, who has played one test and three one-day internationals for Pakistan, is now a British citizen and qualifies to play for any of the 18 first-class counties as a local player.

The 31-year-old looks likely to start his fifth club season at Northern League side St Annes in April, but he is attracting attention from two or three professional sides and harbours ambitions of breaking on to the county circuit.

"My aim has to be to get a county contract," said Zaman, who scored 65 and 63 during a four-day game for Sussex seconds last summer. "Sussex were interested, but now that Matt Prior has been dropped from the England squad they are not looking to sign a wicketkeeper just yet.

"I have got a trial with Leicestershire in March, and I have also had contact from Warwickshire.

"I know I am good enough. I was captain of Habib Bank in Pakistan, and was in charge of Test stars such as Danish Kaneria, Mohammed Sami and Azar Mahmood.

"I did go back to play first-class cricket in Pakistan during the winter, playing as an overseas player, and I scored 222 runs in four innings at an average of 45."

And, while Zaman is still searching for a county, he has no doubts about his abilities to impress and then catch the eye of the national selectors.

"I would be eligible for England," said Zaman, who scored 26 runs in his two Test match innings against Sri Lanka in 2000. "I have to do seriously well, but England are always chopping and changing wicketkeepers and if Paul Nixon can play at 37, I can play at 31.

"I have to get a county first, and then take it from there."

In the meantime, Zaman is using his Level Two coaching badges and international cricket experience to coach at Bolton Cricket Club and BA Preston CC.

4:06pm Tuesday 5th February 2008

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