Former Pakistan seamer Yasir Arafat has joined Somerset on a season-long loan from Hampshire as a limited-overs specialist.
The 34-year-old, who last played for his country in 2012, returns to the county he represented in 2013. He will be available for all white-ball cricket this term.
Yasir, having made 22 first-team appearances for Hampshire last year, moves after England paceman Reece Topley‘s arrival at the Ageas Bowl.
Hampshire director of cricket Giles White said: “Reece Topley will be bowling our death overs in one-day cricket and the opportunity for young bowlers to push for places will potentially narrow the playing prospects for Yasir.
“It seems right to allow a player of his experience to play at a club that can guarantee him game time.”
Arafat is set to play alongside the likes of Chris Gayle at Somerset, and director of cricket Matt Maynard said: “We are absolutely delighted to have secured the services of another world-class player.
“We are really pleased to see Yasir returning to the Cooper Associates County Ground.
“He is a proven performer in white-ball cricket and is one of the best in the business in terms of bowling at the end of an innings.”
“Following the departure of Alfonso Thomas at the end of last season it was felt that we lacked a little bit of experience in our bowling attack and Yasir will certainly bring that.
“He also made quite an impression when he was last here and we are looking forward to seeing him do what he does best in a Somerset shirt.”
Source: ECB