ASTLEY and Tyldesley got more than they bargained for when they rang around for a short term professional.
They were looking for a good local player and came up with a current Pakistan international.
Mohammad Hafeez is in England as part of Pakistan's 21-man squad for the ICC Champions Trophy which starts next week.
And he warmed up with a Bolton Association game against Walshaw on Sunday and is expected to get a second runout with the local side in their final game of the season against Edgworth this weekend.
A&T captain Simon Nicklin said: "We had decided to play out the rest of the season without a pro but because we were short of numbers we decided to look around.
"There were no local pros available so I rang a friend of mine who said he has this lad flying in from Holland and it turned out to be Mohamad Hafeez.
"Needless to say we were quite chuffed to get him."
The all rounder won the man of the match award in last year's one-day international between England and Pakistan at Old Trafford where he scored 69. He also has a Test Match century to his credit against Bangladesh.
But he found Walshaw tough opponents on Sunday when he was out for a duck and took three wickets in a 197-run defeat.
"I think it took him a bit of time to adapt," added Nicklin. "And I think he was a bit surprised by how good Walshaw were.
"Hopefully he will be able to turn out for us again next week."
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