Lancashire sign Arafat for T20

Lancashire have bolstered their ranks for this season's Friends Life t20 campaign with the recruitment of Pakistan allrounder Yasir Arafat.

Arafat, 30, will join his compatriot Junaid Khan as Lancashire's second overseas player for the 20-over tournament. Lancashire will be Arafat's fourth county after spells at Surrey, Sussex and Kent. He has played three Tests for Pakistan as well as 11 ODIs and seven T20Is.

Mike Watkinson, Lancashire's director of cricket, said: "The addition of Yasir to our squad emphasises our determination to progress in the Friends Life t20 tournament and we are delighted to have him on board. Our squad doesn't have the depth that we have been accustomed to and Yasir brings experience and skill to fulfil this important role."

Peter Moores, the head coach, said: "Yasir has a wealth of experience of playing in this country. He is a very experienced one day bowler and a big hitter of the ball down the order."

Arafat, who last played for Pakistan two years ago, told PakPassion.net that his aim was a place in World Twenty20.

"I've been out of favour with the national side for more than two years and all I can do is to try and perform well and to attempt to impress the selection committee," he said. "I would dearly love to play in the Twenty20 World Cup later this year."