(Photo: Getty Images)

By Harvey Burgess

The South African leg-spinner Imran Tahir has joined Derbyshire as an overseas player for the 2017 season.

Subject to international commitments, the spinner will join the county after the ICC Champions Trophy , which takes place in England in June.

Tahir is currently ranked as the world’s number one Twenty20 international bowler and has played over 100 matches for the Proteas, taking 211 wickets across all formats since his debut in 2011.

The 37-year-old also has previous experience of county cricket, having had spells for Hampshire, Warwickshire, Middlesex and Nottinghamshire.

Tahir said of his move: “I love playing cricket in England and I’m looking forward to playing a senior role at Derbyshire.

“I’ve learned a lot over the years and if I can pass my knowledge on to youngsters and help win matches, then it’s a great option for me.”

In first-class cricket, Tahir has racked up 766 wickets at an average of just over 26 with career best figures of 8-42. However, it is in Twenty20 internationals that the Pakistan-born cricketer has excelled, boasting an average of 15.37 in his 27 matches to date.

Derbyshire’s new director of cricket, Kim Barnett, added: “He is one of the best leg-spinners in the world, and we’re very excited to have him on board. Not only will Imran bring an added dimension to our bowling line up, his influence on the team and players will be immense.”