Arafat pens Lancashire deal

Lancashire chief Mike Watkinson feels the signing of Pakistan's Yasir Arafat proves they mean business in this year's t20 competition.

The 30-year-old made his international debut back in 2007 but, after three Tests, 11 one-day internationals and seven Twenty20s, the Pakistan selectors jettisoned the all-rounder in 2010 and he has been overlooked ever since. But the Rawalpindi-born star has been extremely active in domestic cricket all his career, with spells at Sussex, Kent and Surrey before penning a deal to play for the north-west county in this year's Friends Life t20 campaign. He will add some depth to the Red Rose county's bowling attack and also provide some punch down the order with the bat and cricket director Watkinson believes Lancashire have signalled their intention to go one better than last year's semi-final berth in the tournament. "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," he told the club's official website. "Our squad doesn't have the depth that we have been accustomed to and Yasir brings experience and skill to fulfil this important role for us."