Hampshire captain Jimmy Adams praises Hamza Riazuddin

Hampshire captain Jimmy Adams has praised Hamza Riazuddin's early season form after the 22-year-old helped inspire them to victory on Sunday.

Riazuddin took 5-61 in Glamorgan's second innings and even hit the winning runs with the penultimate ball.

His future was uncertain over the winter having not played a County Championship game since May 2008.

"He's surprised everyone and he has probably surprised himself," Adams told BBC Radio Solent.

Riazuddin made his county debut versus Somerset in May 2008 but did not then play another championship game until the opening match of this season against Gloucestershire.

There were some reports he may leave Hampshire but he has started the season in fine form.

"He was away for a lot of the winter," said Adams.

"He went to Melbourne and we didn't see him, the ball was in his court. But we spoke to him at the end of last season and felt he did have a role to play.

"But I think Hamza was doubting himself. I said to him that I've been in a similar situation and you may as well give it a crack because you don't want to sit back in 10 or 15 years time and wonder, what if?

"To his credit, he came back and bowled superbly so from that point of view we are not surprised."

For the past four years Riazuddin, a former England under-19 bowler, has largely been restricted to limited-overs cricket, but in the two games he has played this season he has shown he can have a big impact in four-day cricket.

"His pre-season form has been really special and fortunately he has carried that through to games. It is a huge confidence booster," added Adams.

"He was frustrated last week because he felt he could have got us over the line against Gloucestershire. But he did it this week and if he carries on the way he is going we will be very happy.

"I do know there were times where he was not sure where his career was going to end up because he spent the past few years struggling to break into the team. We are very pleased for him."