Imad Wasim has hailed the pull of Notts Outlaws upon his return to Trent Bridge for a third Vitality Blast stint.
The Pakistan international, who most recently featured for Notts during their victorious campaign of 2020, is included in a party of 15 to face Birmingham Bears (30 June, 6.30pm).
Olly Stone returns to the matchday squad, while Samit Patel and Colin Munro miss out through injury.
“I love this county, it is a great club, so once the news popped up, I was like, ‘yeah 100 percent, I want to go there’,” said Wasim, who is available for Notts’ final two group stage games and the quarter-final stages, should the Outlaws qualify.
“When this opportunity comes up, you cannot turn down Nottinghamshire. It is like a second home for me.”
To guarantee themselves a spot in the knockout stages, Notts need one win from the remaining North Group games against Birmingham and Leicestershire Foxes.
The all-rounder believes Notts will stick to what they do best in the quest for qualification.
“For me it is just another game,” he said. “Notts do it really nicely, the way we play aggressive cricket. We will go out and enjoy it and if we stick to our plans hopefully the win will come.
“The one thing I’ve learned is that the calmer you are under pressure, the more chance you have of making the right decisions.
“I live in the present, and I try to bowl and bat as the situation demands and live for the moment. That is about it.”
Memories of playing in front of the Trent Bridge faithful are poignant for Wasim, who was starved of a crowd for the behind-closed-doors triumph three years ago.
In the time that has elapsed, he has watched on from afar as young guns have made hay in green and gold.
“I have watched a couple of the young guys, when I was last here, they were playing seconds and now they have come up, are playing first XI cricket and they are performing really well,” he observed.
“That’s how you grow, and I am looking forward to working with them. All the knowledge I can pass on, hopefully that’ll be good for them, and I can learn from them too.
“I remember the last time I played with a crowd here was against Middlesex in the 2019 quarter-final, and I was amazed. Even the young kids were here chanting for us. That is what I am looking forward to tomorrow. The people who turn up and support us can be our 12th man.
“Winning a title is important for everyone, for overseas and local guys. That is how you leave a legacy behind. My goal is to try and win games and move this team forwards towards Finals Day.”
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