Arafat joins Otago

Yasir Arafat will spend this winter with Otago when not required by Pakistan

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Pakistan and Sussex all-rounder Yasir Arafat has signed for Otago Volts for the 2009-10 season, replacing Dimitri Mascarenhas as their overseas player.

Arafat, who last month re-signed for Sussex, is expected to join the Volts in mid-December following Pakistan’s Test series in New Zealand.

The 27-year-old joins Essex’s Graham Napier in New Zealand’s domestic game. Napier will represent Central Districts following two seasons with Wellington.

Mascarenhas, who helped Otago win the domestic Twenty20 competition in 2008/09, last played for the Volts in the Champions League Twenty20.

Otago coach Mike Hesson said: “I am excited to have Yasir joining the Volts squad for the coming season.

“We believe that his skills with the ball and as a handy lower order batsman make him a great fit for our squad and compliment what we already have very nicely.

“He is an experienced player who has played international and regular county cricket so I am looking forward to having him as part of the Volts set up.”