Qureshi is in Australia studying information technology at Federation University and has been searching for a cricket club, the Mounties earning his services.

The 26-year-old left-arm quick has impressed his teammates through the early stages of the pre-season.

Mt Clear has been training at Majorleague Indoor Sports Centre, meaning most of Qureshi’s spells have been off a shortened run-up, but coach Matt Ward said the Pakistani has already had the batsmen jumping around in the crease.

“Having a left-armer up our sleeve, that bowls pretty good pace, it’s a good benefit for us,” Ward told The Courier.

“He’s quite sharp, no doubt he’s put all of us on the back foot.

”He’s whippy though his action, so it really gets on you quickly.”

Ward said Qureshi had a lot of potential and in terms of pace compared him to Nathan Yates.

Qureshi has played a lot of cricket back in his home country, enjoying plenty of success at his university, Ripsians.

Ward said it was exciting to bring someone into the club that not only had plenty to offer with the ball, but also a passion for cricket and an understanding of what it takes to be successful.

“He’s been at successful clubs, so we’re happy about that, he knows what it takes to win premierships.”

Ward anticipated Qureshi would be firmly in the mix to open the bowling, but Mt Clear has a number of options to take the new ball – a luxury not all clubs have.

Newly-appointed skipper Darcy Thomson, star all-rounder Nathan Yates and the returning Grant Trevenen all new-ball options for the Mounties’ attack.

“Once we get out into the full run-ups, he could definitely be an opening bowler.

“We’ve got him, Darcy (Thomson), Nathan Yates and Grant Trevenen that could all open the bowling, so we’ve got a good variation.

“So it probably just depends on the conditions and who we’re playing if he’ll open the bowling or not – it’s a good thing to have, all those options up the sleeve.”