Saqlain Mushtaq has taken over 200 wickets in 49 Test matches for Pakistan

Burslem have pulled off a major coup at the start of the new cricket season in Staffordshire and Cheshire by signing ex-Pakistan spinner Saqlain Mushtaq.

The 32-year-old has been signed as a temporary replacement for their professional Samiullah Khan, who has yet to receive international clearance.

Saqlain has taken over 200 Test wickets for Pakistan, and has played in county cricket for Sussex and Surrey.

He will play in Burslem's opening league game at Stone on Saturday.

Saqlain, who last played for Pakistan in 2004, has a British passport through marriage and played for Surrey as a non-overseas player last season after qualifying in April 2008.

However, he was released at the end of the campaign after the county adopted a policy to no longer be associated with players from the unsanctioned Indian Cricket League.

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