Bangladeshi batsman Tamim Iqbal will join Alex Hales in a new look opening partnership when Notts Outlaws face Derbyshire Falcons at The County Ground on Friday.
Iqbal netted with his new teammates this morning ahead of his six-match stint with Notts. He will feature in away games against Derbyshire, Yorkshire, Worcestershire, Northamptonshire and Lancashire before making a solitary appearance at Trent Bridge against Worcestershire Royals on Friday 15th July.
“It was a very easy decision to sign for Nottinghamshire because it has been my dream to play county cricket and this is a great opportunity for me to launch a career here,” said Tamim, who opened the batting for Bangladesh against England in the first NatWest Series ODI last year.
"I want to play four-day cricket here and hopefully I can open the door for more Bangladeshi players to play in England.
“I have great memories of Trent Bridge. I love the wicket and I love the city. As soon as I heard the news that there was an opportunity here I was ready to go.”
His inclusion will prompt a top order re-shuffle with Adam Voges inheriting the captaincy from David Hussey and retaining the number three spot with Riki Wessels moving to number four to accommodate Tamim in his preferred position at the top of the order.
Home and away fixtures against Worcestershire will hold particular significance as Tamim prepares to lock horns with Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan.
“I’m coming into a winning team and my plan is to play my normal game and to contribute to more victories,” he said.
“I am very excited about playing against Shakib because he is a very good friend of mine but I will try to win the game for Notts.”