by Alex Hoad

Kent head coach Jimmy Adams says all-rounder Azhar Mahmood is "raring to go" after returning to the fold following the end of his Indian Premier League involvement.

The 37-year-old is set to return to the Kent side for Friday’s Clydesdale Bank Pro40 clash with Warwickshire under the floodlights at the St Lawrence Ground.

Mahmood, (pictured), the former Pakistan international played 11 games for the Kings XI Punjab, averaging 23 with the bat and the same with the ball for his 14 wickets.

He returned to the UK last week after his side’s six-wicket defeat against the Delhi Daredevils ruled them out of play-off contention.

Adams said: "We are definitely looking forward to having him back. He’s a quality player. He’s in good shape and he’s fit and raring to go. It’s great to have him around, he should be available for the game on Friday.

"Everyone has to earn their place. We’ll sit down and look at team selection on Thursday after practice and his name will be there on the list with everyone else’s."

Adams said his side were looking forward to their first floodlit outing of the season in Canterbury.

He said: "We’re definitely looking forward to the first floodlit game.

"Hopefully the weather will be good and we’ll get some home support and we’ll play some good cricket to back that up."