SUSSEX have signed Pakistan left-arm seamer Mir Hamza for part of the coming season.

He will be available for eight Specsavers County Championship matches, starting with the away fixture against Northamptonshire on May 20, and finishing with the match against Lancashire at Old Trafford on July 13.

The 26-year-old will play in four home fixtures in the competition, including that against Gloucestershire at Arundel and will also be available for the tour match against Australia A at Arundel.

Hamza said: “I’m very excited to have the chance to play county cricket with a great club like Sussex, following in the footsteps of Pakistan legends like Javed Miandad and Imran Khan.

“I hope I can make a good contribution towards some victories. And on a personal level I am looking forward to working with – and learning from – Jason Gillespie.”

Hamza made his Test debut for Pakistan in their crushing 373-run win against Australia in Abu Dhabi earlier this winter. He caught the eye with his dismissal of Shaun Marsh via a fine seaming delivery that knocked the opener’s off-stump out of the ground.

Sussex head coach Gillespie added: “We’re looking forward to welcoming Mir Hamza to Sussex.

“He’s a left-arm swing bowler who has performed well when opportunities have been there for him for his country. He will add to the depth of our seam bowling at the club. He will no doubt have a positive impact.”