DOB: 9.6.77 County: Nottinghamshire "> Test debut: v Australia, Edgbaston 2001 "> Left hand batsman, slow left arm bowler ">

Dropped for the next two matches, he returned for England's victory at Headingley and went on to make a gritty 54 in the fifth Test at The Oval.

Once criticised by Notts manager Clive Rice for being too negative, Afzaal responded with a brilliant unbeaten 151 against Worcestershire during the 2000 season and is now regarded as a batsman who likes to go for his shots.

Born in Rawalpindi, he is also involved in efforts to encourage more Nottinghamshire youngsters from Asian backgrounds to take up the game and led a team of them on a tour to Pakistan last winter.

Joins the squad in New Zealand after failing to get a game of any description in India.