Ashar Zaidi could complete a remarkable story if he makes his debut for Sussex today.

The Pakistani has not played first class cricket since 2009 but is poised to make his Championship debut against Yorkshire at Hove after being included in a 14-man squad along with England’s Matt Prior.

Zaidi, 32, has been playing for Accrington in the Lancashire League for the last three years but emailed Sussex last week to ask for a trial.

The former Pakistan A international made an immediate impact as he smashed an unbeaten 192 for Sussex 2nd XI against Durham and claimed match figures of 6-24 with his left-arm spin.

Sussex are keen to assess Zaidi further as they look to fill the void left by Monty Panesar and with no second team games remaining could decide to throw him straight in at the deep end today.

Coach Mark Robinson said: “Keith Greenfield and Mark Davis (Sussex coaches) were full of praise for Ash. We’ve asked him to stick around and he practised with us this week and did well.”

Prior is also poised to feature for Sussex for the first time since June after receiving permission from England to play as long as there is no recurrence of a persistent Achilles injury.