Babar Azam confirmed to re-join Somerset for T20 Blast

The Pakistan captain will be available for the last seven matches of the competition and the knock-out stage, if the club progress

• Bess to leave Somerset to boost England career

Somerset have secured the return of Pakistan captain Babar Azam for this season's T20 Blast.

Twenty-five-year-old Babar is available for the last seven matches of the competition, including the knock-out stage if they make it.

He had previously agreed to return back in January but the coronavirus pandemic, and the impact on the international and domestic cricket calendar, had thrown that agreement into major doubt.

The ICC's No.1 ranked 20-over batsman was the top run-scorer in last season's competition, hitting 578 runs for the Taunton club.

He formed a remarkable partnership with Tom Banton, who himself struck 549 runs, at the top of the order.

Though overseas players are few and far between this term, Somerset have been able to lure Babar back to the south west due to Pakistan touring England for three Tests and a trio of T20s.

His second spell at Somerset will begin on September 2 and his first appearance is likely to come against Worcestershire Rapids the following day.

👀 Look who's back.

Babar Azam has re-joined @SomersetCCC for the T20 Blast.

Get ready for more of this...#Blast20 pic.twitter.com/qtMNAAsP1X

— The Cricketer (@TheCricketerMag) August 29, 2020

"I really enjoyed playing for Somerset last year and I can’t wait to get back to the club," he said.

"For obvious reasons, this year has been very different from what we were all expecting, and I fully appreciate the challenges the game has faced globally as well as here in England.

"We have all had to adapt and I’m just really pleased that we could find a way to make this happen. I hope that I can help to contribute to success on the field for Somerset again."

Somerset director of cricket Andy Hurry added: "He is a great player, is so easy on the eye and fitted brilliantly into our environment last year."

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