Ashar Zaidi has been told to relax after enduring a difficult start to his first full season at Sussex.

The all-rounder has scored just 44 runs in five Championship innings since signing a two-year deal in the winter while his five wickets have cost 41.80 apiece.

Zaidi was also hit with a suspended one-match ban for criticising an umpire’s decision in the defeat to Somerset as he struggles to adapt to the demands of the first class game after an absence of four years.

Coach Mark Robinson is concerned the 32-year-old is putting too much pressure on himself to perform but is confident Zaidi will start to show his class if he is given time – starting against Durham at Hove today.

Robinson said: “Ashar has put a lot of pressure on himself. He is trying too hard to score some runs and get his career at Sussex up and running.

“He’s been a bit unlucky too. He was unlucky with a decision against Somerset and then dragged on a ball which kept low in the last game and those type of things tend to happen when you are chasing it a bit.

“But he is someone who has a history of scoring hundreds so he has got to try to remember the good times rather than worrying about things because as soon as you start trying too hard it is dangerous.

“He has just got to relax a bit. He is learning how to play first class cricket again.

“Ashar might not be young in terms of his age but he is in many ways a young player in terms of playing in English conditions so we have got to give him time to adapt.”