WORCESTERSHIRE have snapped up the world’s leading one-day international all-rounder as their overseas player for the second-half of the 2010 campaign.

Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan will join the New Road club in mid-July, subject to a visa, following the tour to England which ends on July 12.

The 22-year-old left-handed batsman and slow-left-arm spinner is number one in the ICC one-day all-rounder rankings ahead of Australian Shane Watson and India’s Yuvraj Singh.

Shakib is also number four in the Test all-rounder rankings with only South African Jacques Kallis, New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori and Australian Mitchell Johnson above him.

He burst on to the one-day international arena in Au-gust 2006 as a 19-year-old and made his Test debut the following spring against India.

Averaging nearly 36 with the bat in ODIs and 30 with the ball, Shakib has also taken 48 wickets in 14 Tests at 28.27 and has scored 715 runs at 29.79.

Shakib said: “I followed county cricket as a young player growing up and the opportunity to fulfil one of my ambitions by playing as an overseas player in England is one that excites me greatly.

“I consider it a huge honour to be the first Bangladeshi overseas player in county cricket and can’t wait to give my all for the club on the field.

“County cricket has traditionally been the stage for the world’s best players and it is a matter of great pride for me to be associated with a club that has an overwhelming history and has been home to so many legendary cricketers.

“Particularly as an all-rounder, I am thrilled and inspired to be joining the team once graced by Ian Botham, Imran Khan and Kapil Dev.”

Worcestershire director of cricket Steve Rhodes is understandably delighted at securing the services of the world’s in-form all-rounder.

He said: “I have been following his progress for some time and it is clear to me that he is a very good player.

“His current ICC rankings prove this and I know he is hungry for success. His all-round skills will be a great boost to our young team for the business end of the season.”

With Rhodes securing Shakib for the second half of the season, the County chief is continuing his search for an overseas player for the opening months of the 2010 campaign.