LONDON: Owais Shah has revealed that he signed a new long-term contract with Middlesex because of the potential at the club.

“It was a relatively easy decision,” Shah, 29, told BBC.

“I’ve played all my cricket at Middlesex. I grew up here since I was 15,” said Shah.

“There’s a lot of potential. I think it’s exciting times for Middlesex and we’re on the way up,” he said.

“All one wants to see is progress as a team. And I think our Twenty20 victory this summer made my decision easier,” he added.

Shah, born in Pakistan, but reared in West London, said: “I’ve grown up watching Middlesex reach the heights of winning trophies with Mike Gatting and Mark Ramprakash, Angus Fraser and Phil Tufnell.”

On a personal front, Shah has also cemented his place in England’s one-day side this season and is pleased with the progress, especially Friday night’s win over South Africa in the first one-dayer under new captain Kevin Pietersen.

“We won our first game against a very tough South African side,” he said.

“We’ll draw a lot of strength from that,” he explained.

“I’m sure South Africa will hit us hard on Tuesday. Sami Patel was outstanding with the ball on his international debut. The way he took to the big stage was very good,” he added.

Shah will not be travelling to Pakistan with England next month following the postponement of the ICC Champions Trophy for 12 months. And he has confirmed that he could be available for the final fortnight to help his team pull away from the wrong end of the Pro40 Division One table.

“If I’m not selected for England I’m available for Middlesex,” said Shah. “It’s as simple as that for me,” he said.