CONTRACTS have been signed between Bangladesh Test captain Mohammed Ashraful and Evesham Cricket Club for the forthcoming Birmingham League season.

Ashraful, aged 23, is currently ranked at 51 in the world's top batsmen in the ICC tables and is the youngest player to have scored a Test century, which he made against Sri Lanka in 2001.

Ashraful was appointed captain of Bangladesh last year and Evesham chairman David Higginson expressed his delight, despite changes to the international cricket fixture list that may yet prevent the star signing's participation in the club's 2008 campaign.

Higginson said: "Signing Ash is a tremendous coup for Evesham and we are all very excited at the prospect of him joining us this year."

Ashraful's arrival has, however, been delayed by a fortnight following Australia's withdrawal from their planned tour of Pakistan, who will now take on Bangladesh instead.

The batsman was contracted to arrive during the third week in April, but Bangladesh have agreed to play five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 fixture in Pakistan next month.

More concerning, though, is the news that Pakistan may now tour Bangladesh in June to plug the Australia gap still further.

Higginson added: "While we have signed contracts with Mohammad Ashraful, one or two outstanding details are still to be finalised and these are due to be resolved in the next few days.

"We knew we would be losing Ash for a couple of weeks for the Asia Cup, but if this additional tour happens we may be back to the drawing board.

"If unscheduled international commitments do not intervene, Ashraful will add some real quality to the side and will be a great asset to the club and will also be heavily involved in the coaching of seniors and juniors.

"The club needs a boost following last year's floods and the fact that we only just avoided relegation on the final day. I am sure that Ash will help provide that lift as we move forward."

Evesham are grateful to Mohammed's UK Agent Steven Hirst of CricX.com who has worked hard with the club to get contracts signed.

Ashraful is an outstanding talent. At 17, he was the youngest player to score a Test match century.

He also hit a run-a-ball hundred to chase down Australia's 250 at Cardiff in 2005 and scored the fastest international Twenty20 50 (20 balls) against the West Indies in the recent Twenty20 World Cup.

10:27am Wednesday 26th March 2008

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