Saqlain Mushtaq, the Pakistan off-spinner, has joined Sussex on a two-year contract. Saqlain qualifies for a British passport in April, allowing him to play for the English county champions as a European Union, rather than overseas, player.

He joins the Hove-based club as cover for Mushtaq Ahmed, his fellow Pakistan slow bowler currently preparing for the World Cup in the Caribbean. A change of citizenship could make Saqlain available for England in 2008.

After playing his most recent Test against India in 2004, he sustained a knee injury that effectively ended an international career that included 208 Test wickets and 288 in one-dayers. He has also represented Surrey and Ireland.

He said: "I am very much looking forward to at least the next two years with Sussex with great ambition and determination, having spent the majority of the last three years out of the game.

Mark Robinson, the Sussex cricket manager, said: "The option of the two Mushtaqs bowling in tandem is a mouth-watering prospect. Saqlain is only 30 and we hope with the right care and attention from our support staff he will have a long and successful new chapter of his career."

Chris Adams, the club captain, added: "The last time I felt this excited about bringing a player to the club is when we signed Mushtaq Ahmed. If Saqlain can emulate even half of what Mushtaq has achieved then not only will we have allowed him to rediscover his form and presumably his happiness with his game and his cricket but I am certain that, if that's the case, the England selectors will be watching very closely.

"I would like to add that whilst I am sure there is much hard work ahead for Saqlain he will bring an enormous amount of experience to the squad. And with young spinners like Ollie Rayner and Tom Smith that can only help them advance their own games and quest for first-class cricket, watching and learning alongside a true master."

A pioneer of the 'doosra' delivery that turns away from a right-handed batsman even though it is delivered with an action similar to that of the offbreak, Saqlain was an important member of the Surrey team that won three County Championship titles between 1999-2002. His arrival at Hove makes him the third Pakistan cricketer at the club, with pace bowler Rana Naved and Ahmed as their two overseas players.