FORMER Pakistan bowler Yasir Arafat has rejoined Somerset on a season-long loan deal from Hampshire.

Arafat joins Somerset as a non-overseas player and will be available for all white-ball cricket this season.

The 35-year-old seam bowler became a real favourite with Somerset fans when he played for the county in 2013 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.”