Sohail Tanvir, the Pakistan fast bowler, has joined Worcestershire for this season's Friends Life t20, taking the place of offspinner Saeed Ajmal who had pulled out due to international commitments.

Earlier this week Tanvir, 27, was recalled to the Pakistan Twenty20 side for next month's series against Sri Lanka. He had been part of Pakistan's run to the final in the inaugural World Twenty20 in 2007, and their title win in England two years later.

This year he helped Lions reach the final of South Africa's domestic T20 competition, and captained his home side Rawalpindi Rams in the Faysal Bank Super Eight T-20 Cup. Tanvir has taken 83 wickets in his Twenty20 career, and his 6 for 14 against Chennai Super Kings in the first season of the IPL are the second-best figures in the format.

Steve Rhodes, Worcestershire director of cricket, was happy with the signing. "Sohail is an ideal replacement for Saeed Ajmal because Saeed was a tremendous bowler at the death and this is the type of role we want Sohail to play," Rhodes said. "Added to his bowling skills, he also has the ability to hit the ball hard which is an obvious asset at the end of our innings."

Edited by Siddarth Ravindran