Sussex have signed Pakistan all-rounder Yasir Arafat as an overseas player for the NatWest T20 Blast tournament.

The 31-year-old has previously had three spells at Hove and is fifth on the all-time Twenty20 wicket-takers list with 219 scalps.

Arafat played for Sussex in 2006, 2009 and 2010 and was part of the Sharks side that won the Twenty20 Cup in 2009.

He has turned out for five different English counties – Sussex, Kent, Surrey, Lancashire and Somerset – and is the leading wicket-taker in the history of domestic Twenty20 in England.

Arafat, who has played three Tests, 11 one-day internationals and 13 T20 internationals, has appeared in the short format for club sides in Pakistan, New Zealand, South Africa and Bangladesh.

Sussex cricket manager Mark Robinson said the deal had been in negotiation since October and went on to say that Arafat was a very experienced bowler who takes pressure well.