PAKISTANI all-rounder Yasir Arafat has been snapped up by Somerset as their second overseas player for this season’s FLt20 competition.

The 31-year-old is a vastly experienced cricketer, having played in three Test Matches and 13 T20 Internationals for Pakistan, and has an impressive record in all formats of the game.

Arafat has played in 193 first class games in which he averages nearly 28 with the bat and has taken 752 wickets at an average of 24.22, while in T20 he has a batting average of 14.70 from his 150 matches and claimed 183 wickets at 22.03.

The all rounder is no stranger to English conditions having previously played county cricket for Kent, Lancashire, Surrey and Sussex.

He said: "I am delighted to have signed for Somerset for the 2013 FLt20. Somerset are a county that have always done well in the competition and I look forward to contributing to further success and playing in front of a great crowd at Taunton.”

Dave Nosworthy, the Somerset Director of Cricket, said: “We're very excited to have agreed terms for Yasir Arafat to join us as our second overseas FLt20 player and we hope to see him at the County Ground very soon.

“He is a front line bowler with specific T20 skills and has proven results in all parts of the world including the UK. With bat in hand he has the potential to 'hit a long ball' and create some real excitement too.

“It has been a long process to find an ideal and available player who could remain with us for the entire competition and create the right impact.

“I trust that the club and our members will welcome both Yasir and Alviro Petersen with open arms as our two overseas players for the 2013 T20 campaign."

Somerset begin their FLt20 campaign with a home match against Gloucestershire at the County Ground on Friday, July 5.