SOMERSET County Cricket Club have announced the capture of Pakistan opening batsman Azhar Ali, the overseas signing being available for all of Somerset's remaining County Championship games.

The 33-year-old Ali replaces injured Australian batsman Matt Renshaw, and is in line to make his Championship debut away to Worcestershire this Sunday (July 22).

The right-hander has played in 65 Tests for Pakistan, notching more than 5,200 runs with a very decent average of 44.84.

He has 14 centuries in Test cricket, and has also scored more than 10,200 First Class runs.

In addition, he scored an unbeaten 101 during Pakistan's tour match against Somerset at the Cooper Associates County Ground in 2016.

Somerset director of cricket Andy Hurry commented: “Finding the right fit at short notice can be challenging, however we are delighted to have secured a player of Azhar Ali’s character, pedigree and class for the remaining seven Specsavers County Championship matches.

“His experience at the top of the order will prove to be hugely valuable at the business end of the season.

"I have spoken to him several times over the last few weeks and he is very keen to share his knowledge of the game with our aspirational players, so the influence he can have within the changing room will also be vital for us as a club.”

Ali said: “The standard of First Class cricket in England is very high and I hope that I can make a contribution to Somerset winning matches.

"I have heard good things about Somerset and I was impressed by what I saw at Taunton in 2016.

“I am looking forward to joining my new team-mates and meeting the Somerset supporters soon.”

Somerset fans will hope that Ali can bring his international class to their four-day batting line-up, possibly alongside Marcus Trescothick - who has returned from injury in fine style - in a similar way to the departing Renshaw.

Whether Somerset will add an overseas signing for their T20 Blast campaign remains to be seen.