Lancashire director of cricket Paul Allott has stated his surprise at batsman Haseeb Hameed’s performances with the bat this season, labelling it “a complete and utter mystery”.

The 21-year-old opener, who made a sterling start to his international career with 219 runs in three Tests against India in 2016 before suffering a broken thumb, scored only 165 Championship runs this season at an average of 9.71.

As Lancashire were relegated to division two, Allott has outlined that Hameed is a major concern for the county.

Allott told BBC Radio Lancashire: “Haseeb Hameed is a dilemma for us – we gave him more opportunity, probably, than he deserved.

“Far too many games, probably, but having said that I’ve not seen a more talented young opening batsman in my 40-odd years in the game.

“The way he [Hameed] played here for us two years ago and then went to India and opened the batting for England – he was everybody’s choice as the next Alastair Cook basically.”

“Where his form and function have gone and disappeared to is a complete and utter mystery to us,” Allott said.

“I’m obviously very keen that he rejuvenates himself and finds his form again.”