Saqlain will play as one of Ireland's two overseas professionals

Former Pakistani Test star Saqlain Mushtaq will play as a professional for Ireland in this year's C&G Trophy.

The former Surrey spinner was confirmed as the first of two overseas players that Ireland plan to utilise in the new league format for the one-day game.

Saqlain played 49 Test matches and 169 one-day internationals. His career in one-dayers for Pakistan lasted a decade from 1995, and he took 288 wickets.

Ireland hope to sign another Pakistan Test player by the end of the month.

The 29-year-old Saqlain joined Surrey in 1997 and remained at The Oval for eight seasons before major knee surgery forced him out of the limelight.

The right-arm off-break bowler played in two World Cups for Pakistan and in 2003 he was the fastest bowler to reach 100 one-day wickets.