Indian batsman Mohammad Kaif has signed a four-month contract with Derbyshire to replace New Zealand batsman Nathan Astle, the English county said on Wednesday.

Kaif will fill the second overseas slot for the county.

Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi, who only signed a two-month contract with Derbyshire, will leave at the end of May and Kaif will probably play his first match on June 4.

Astle, who was contracted to play after Afridi left, ruled himself out after undergoing surgery on a patella tendon tear in his left knee and for a hernia earlier this month.

Kaif, 22, played for India in the recent World Cup in southern Africa and is well-known to English cricket fans, having combined with Yuvraj Singh in a 121-run sixth-wicket partnership to successfully chase England's 325 in the final of a triangular one-day series in 2002.

Kaif scored an unbeaten 87 in the two-wicket victory.

"He is a top signing. A real quality batsman and wonderful fielder," said coach Adrian Pearson in a statement.

"Kaif should provide great value and entertainment for Derbyshire. We are very lucky to have him."