DURHAM yesterday dismissed reports that they have signed Shoaib Malik, although they have spoken to the Pakistani star about the possibility of playing Twenty20 cricket next season.

They also ended rumours that Ryan Pringle had agreed to play for Derbyshire by handing him a new contract, and there are enhanced contracts for Barry McCarthy, James Weighell and left-arm spinner Gurman Randhawa.

Malik, 33, returned from the international wilderness to bat for more than ten hours in scoring 245 in last week's first Test against England.

But while reports emanating from Pakistan suggested he had agreed to play for Durham in all formats, that would not be possible as they have already re-signed John Hastings for the full season.

They are allowed a second overseas player for T20 cricket and coach Jon Lewis said: “We need a bit more in the Twenty20 batting and that's why we have spoken to him.

“We can't really take it any further until the fixture list comes out next month and we also have some idea what his Pakistan commitments are likely to be.”

Malik, who has played in 227 one-day internationals and 65 T20s, also bowls off-spin. He lost his Test place after a disastrous tour of England in 2010.

Reports linking Pringle with Derbyshire are believed to have stemmed from an agent, although Lewis said: “I'd like to think we haven't reached that stage in cricket.

“When you are negotiating a contract things go back and forward and eventually you reach an agreement.”

Irishman McCarthy and Stokesley's Weighell, seam bowling all-rounders, both played two championship matches towards the end of last season and have been handed development contracts with promises of elevation to full contracts if they play a certain number of first team games.

Something similar has been given to Randhawa, the Yorkshire Academy product who impressed in Durham's second team last season.