Hampshire re-sign South African leggie Tahir

London, Aug 21 (IANS) Eyeing a promotion to the top flight after three years, English county club Hampshire have re-signed South African leg-spinner Imran Tahir for a short-contract subject to visa clearance.

The 35-year-old Pakistan-born cricketer will be available for the last two County Championship matches against Kent and Glamorgan, reports BBC.

In the past, Imran, who has 40 Test wickets for South Africa, has made 77 appearances for the club.

"It's the business end of the season and there is no (pace bowler) Kyle Abott," Hampshire director of cricket Giles White was quoted as saying by BBC Wednesday.

"So Imran comes in and hopefully gets us over the line in terms of promotion. As the season goes on it's more conducive to spin, that and the fact he has been with us before means he will fit in easily and make a difference," he said.

Imran first played for Hampshire in 2008 and his most successful season was in 2011 when he picked up 50 wickets. But it was also in 2011 that Hampshire were relegated from Division One of the County Championship.

They are now in Division Two and are currently second, 25 points behind leaders Worcestershire and eight ahead of Surrey in third. The top two teams will be promoted to the first division.