Kent sign Pakistan's Ali and South African Dudgeon

Kashif Ali made his Test debut for Pakistan in January, taking two wickets against West Indies

Kent have signed Pakistan Test bowler Kashif Ali and South African paceman Keith Dudgeon for the start of the 2025 season.

But Australian fast bowler Wes Agar will not rejoin the club until the end of May as his workload is managed at the end of the Australian season.

Ali and Dudgeon will be available for the County Championship opener at Northampton on Friday, 4 April until the conclusion of Kent's trip to Derbyshire on Monday, 26 May.

Dudgeon, 29, has 224 career first-class wickets at an average of 25.79, while Ali has 110 first-class wickets at 28.01.

Ali, 30, made his Pakistan Test debut against West Indies in January, taking two wickets.

Australian seamer Tom Rogers will also play for Kent Spitfires in the group stage of the Vitality Blast.

Keith Dudgeon has represented South Africa U19s

"Playing county cricket is such a big deal for South Africans and I'm looking to take this opportunity with both hands," Dudgeon told the Kent website.

"I'm excited to play for this great team and I will always do my best every time I wear a Kent shirt," Ali said.

Kent will play in County Championship Division Two following their relegation from the top tier last season.

It will be the first experience in English cricket for both Dudgeon and Ali.

"They are both good bowlers, and both will, we feel, complement our existing bowling unit well during their time here," Kent director of cricket Simon Cook added.

"We acted quickly to identify and secure their signatures as soon as it became clear that Wes Agar would only be available for June and July."