The Otago Daily Times understands the Volts are negotiating to secure the 30-year-old power-hitter's services for the one-day and twenty/20 competitions.
"I'm not in a position to make any comment on any overseas player but hopefully we will make a comment in due course," Otago coach Mike Hesson said when asked yesterday if the association was courting the player.
"We are looking to get an overseas player for the one-dayers and the twenty/20 [tournament] as we have the last couple of years."
Mascarenhas' signature would be a coup for the association.
He is regarded as a huge drawcard with his ability to clear the boundary after making a name for himself when he slapped five sixes in an over from India's Yuvraj Singh.
Mascarenhas has played 11 one-day internationals, averaging 30 with the bat.
He has taken six wickets at 52.83.
In 164 first-class matches, he has scored 5588 runs at 25.05, including seven centuries, and taken 383 wickets at 28.20, including 15 five-wicket bags.
He was born in Middlesex to Sri Lankan parents but grew up in Australia.
He returned to England in 1996 to play for Hampshire and made his one-day international debut against the West Indies at Lords in 2007.
Should Mascarenhas line up for Otago this season, and with Black Caps wicketkeeper batsman Brendon McCullum also in the side, Otago would possess an intimidating batting line-up.
