Rao Iftikhar played for Pakistan in their recent one-day series in Australia

Surrey have signed Pakistan seamer Rao Iftikhar Anjum as cover for Indian Premier League-bound Piyush Chawla.

The 29-year-old will be available for Surrey's first three County Championship games while Indian leg-spinner Chawla is with Kings XI Punjab.

"I believe Rao is the type of bowler who will perform well in English conditions," said Surrey cricket manager Chris Adams.

"He can swing the ball well and has a very repeatable action."

Rao Iftikhar is the latest in a long line of Pakistani bowlers to play for Surrey, following in the footsteps of Waqar Younis, Saqlain Mushtaq, Azhar Mahmood and Intikhab Alam.

"Playing for an English county has long been an ambition of mine, and I am very much looking forward to joining Surrey in the coming weeks," said Rao Iftikhar.

"Some of the greatest Pakistani bowlers of recent times have played for Surrey and I am honoured to be following in their footsteps."

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