Pakistan pace ace Hassan Ali for Warwickshire

Ali is Warwickshire’s first overseas signing for 2023 and has agreed a deal that will see him play the full Vitality Blast campaign, including any potential knockout games, and in the LV= Insurance County Championship until the end of July.

The 28-year-old has starred for T20 sides around the world and has made 131 international appearances for his country.

In T20, he has taken almost 200 wickets for sides including Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and St Kitts & Nevis Patriots in the Caribbean Super League (CSL).

Ali - who greets dismissals with a trademark “boom” celebration - – made his debut in English cricket last season at Lancashire where he achieved cult hero status during a brief red ball contract.

He was the leading wicket taker in Division One of the County Championship after four weeks and left having taken 25 wickets in five matches at an average of 20.60.

Ali said he has fond memories of playing at Edgbaston and is eagerly awaiting joining up with the squad.

He said: “I’m delighted to sign for Warwickshire as they are an ambitious club and Edgbaston is a ground I’ve always enjoyed playing at.

“I hope I can help the team with my experience and contribute to some wins, maybe even a trophy.”

Ali made his Pakistan debut in 2016 before really making his mark on the global stage in his first major tournament – the 2017 Champions Trophy.

He was the leading wicket taker with 13, at an average of 14.69, and named the Player of the Tournam

Warwickshire first team coach Mark Robinson said: “Hassan made a real statement at Lancashire with some match winning performances.

“It was his first spell in English county cricket but he settled in seamlessly and that experience will undoubtedly help him going into a second season.

“He’ll play a major role for us in both the Championship and the T20 Blast with his stay running from the start of the season and ending at the end of July.

“He’s an established international bowler and a fantastic addition to our attack giving us something different to what we already have.”

Ali is set to be amongst a number of international stars on display when Edgbaston plays host to Blast Off, a new double-header curtain raiser to the Vitality Blast season in 2023.

The Bears face Yorkshire Vikings and Derbyshire Falcons take on Lancashire Lightning