Essex sign Gloucestershire all-rounder Akhter

Zaman Akhter took 5-32 for England Lions against Sri Lanka last year

Essex have signed Gloucestershire's seam bowling all-rounder Zaman Akhter on a three-year deal from next season.

The 26-year-old is an England Lions international, and made his debut for Gloucestershire in 2023 after graduating from the South Asian Cricket Academy.

Akhter took 4-33 in his third first-class match, against Leicestershire, and claimed his first five-wicket haul (5-89) on the opening day of the 2024 County Championship, against Yorkshire.

He has taken 70 first-class wickets at an average of 40.74 and averages 23.41 with the bat, while his first appearance for the Lions saw him take 5-32 against Sri Lanka.

Essex director of cricket Chris Silverwood said: "He is a player we've had our eye on for a while and we really believe his quality will add to and strengthen our bowling group."