Hampshire snap up Afridi for t20

The arrival of big-hitting Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi is likely to provide plenty of excitement for spectators at the Rose Bowl

Hampshire have confirmed the signing of Pakistan international all-rounder Shahid Afridi for the 2010 Friends Provident t20 campaign.

The 29-year-old all-rounder will join Sri Lanka spinner Ajantha Mendis as Hampshire's second overseas player for the competition.

Afridi is regarded as one of the most destructive players in the limited-overs game and helped his country to victory in last summer’s ICC World Twenty20 in England, claiming regular wickets with his leg breaks and striking composed half-centuries in the semi-final and final.

He also impressed in the inaugural World Twenty20 in 2007, where he was named player of the tournament, and will captain Pakistan in the next edition of the event in April 2010.

Afridi is currently playing for South Australia in the Australian KFC Twenty20 Big Bash and has also represented Deccan Chargers in the IPL.

He said: “I am looking forward to playing for Hampshire and looking forward to a successful Twenty20 campaign.”

First team manager Giles White added: “I am delighted that Shahid has signed to play for us in the Friends Provident T20.

“He is renowned as one of the best Twenty20 players in the world and is a match-winner with both bat and ball.

“It is an exciting prospect for the club and its supporters to have two such exciting players involved in this year's competition.”