Owais Shah: Hampshire re-sign batsman for T20 season

Owais Shah played in Hampshire's T20 Blast semi-final loss to Lancashire last year

Hampshire have re-signed batsman Owais Shah for the entire T20 Blast season.

Shah, who joined the county on a short-term deal last summer, has only played T20 cricket since 2013.

The 36-year-old former England batsman averaged 52 in his six matches for Hampshire, scoring an unbeaten 50 against his former club Essex.

"We feel it is a good fit in terms of the number four or five role with the experience he has," director of cricket Giles White told BBC Radio Solent.

"He played a few games for us last season when Glenn Maxwell and Michael Carberry were away but this year we are going to pick him up for the whole season.

"Owais is experienced and it's nice to have that continuity. You will have a lot of teams with lots of in and outs from overseas and the attraction of Owais is that he will be around for the whole tournament.

"We are a strong team with him in it and hopefully he can hit the ground running on 15 May."

Shah, who last played international cricket in 2009, said he was delighted to return to the county.

"I really enjoyed my time at Hampshire last season," he said. "I got on well with the players and coaches so I'm glad to be a part of the club again this year, and for a longer period as well.

"It was frustrating to go out in the semi-finals last season but the talent is there to go one further this year and I believe we can do it."