Sussex are taking a look at Pakistani spinner Ashar Zaidi as one of a number of potential replacements for Monty Panesar for next season.

Zaidi made a good first impression by smashing an unbeaten 192 from 186 balls for Sussex 2nd XI in a friendly against Durham at Preston Nomads yesterday after being invited for a trial.

The 32-year-old has been playing for Accrington in the Lancashire League for the last three seasons, taking 235 wickets at an average of 13.15 and scoring over 3,000 runs at an average just under 50. He has not played first class cricket for four years but has a decent pedigree, scoring more than 5,000 runs and taking 49 wickets in 88 matches for Islamabad.

Zaidi is a left-arm spinner, like Panesar, who played 20 times for Pakistan A back in 2005 but qualifies as a British citizen so would not be classed as an overseas player.

Panesar was the subject of disciplinary action by Sussex last month after urinating on a nightclub bouncer and is currently on loan at Essex until the end of the season when he will be released from the remaining two years of his contract.

Coach Mark Robinson said: “We don’t know too much about him. We got an email on Sunday informing us about him and as this is our last second team game it was a good chance to see him play.

“With Monty leaving we have made it clear we need a finger spinner for next season to go with Will Beer for different conditions and surfaces so Ashar is one of those we are taking a look at.”