Hampshire give Shafayat short-term deal

Hampshire have registered Bilal Shafayat, the former Nottinghamshire batsman, on a short-term deal as they seek to cover the absence of Michael Carberry and Jimmy Adams.

Shafayat, who was released by Nottinghamshire in 2010, has been a part of Hampshire's second XI set-up for the last two seasons, making a double-hundred against Glamorgan and a century against Middlesex in 2011 and 39* then 77 against Essex last week at West End.

It means Shafayat, who represented England at Under-19s level in 2001, will be available on a match-by-match basis for selection for the first XI should he be required, although he has no formal contract. He has been added to the squad for the Championship match against Derbyshire.

Hampshire's manager, Giles White, said; "Bilal will provide back-up for our batting line-up over the next few games. Having missed Jimmy Adams and Michael Carberry for different reasons in the last few matches we thought it wise to have some additional strength in depth in case of any further losses.

"Bilal has proven a very able cricketer in our second XI as well as for Nottinghamshire so I'm sure he'll be able to step into the side should he be required."