by Glenn Pearson

Kent all-rounder Azhar Mahmood looks set to miss the start of the new cricket season after securing a deal to play in this year’s Indian Premier League.

The 36-year-old has been snapped up by the Kings Punjab XI for $200,000 and is the first Pakistani to figure in the competition since its first edition.

Mahmood tweeted: "I would like to take this opportunity to thank the ECB and my Kent county club for being so accommodating and cooperative."

While it’s a major achievement for Mahmood, it’s likely to be a blow for his county who could be without their Player of the Year for the start of the season.

The IPL begins on April 4 and should the King Punjab XI progress to the final on May 27, Kent would be without Mahmood for the first two months of the season.

Mahmood’s Kent team-mate, Darren Stevens, was on the auction list but was not bid for by any of the IPL franchises. Not a single English player attracted interest at the auction.