Strabane Cricket Club has announced that they have brought in a temporary replacement for the Test-bound Faisal Iqbal in 25-year old Pakistani Waqar Okazai.

While many felt that the former champions would be looking to add to their bowling, Waqar is in fact listed as a wicket-keeper/batsman although the continued absence of Niall McDonnell may also have been a factor in the choice.

The new man's record is moderate enough at a glance- 19 first class matches in the last two years with an average of nearly 34, bolstered by a knock of 150 last October.

His last first class game was in December when he opened the batting but failed to get out of single figures in either innings against a Pakistan International Airlines side that included Agha Sabir, Kamran Sajid and the man he is replacing, Iqbal, who scored a century in the second.

Despite the suggestion that Waqar is also a 'keeper he hasn't been taking the gloves at first class level either so realistically it looks like a bit of a punt for Martin Deans' side albeit he has come recommended by Iqbal himself.

The new man is expected in Strabane at the end of the week and could go straight into the side that plays Derriaghy in Saturday's Ulster Cup opener.