Arafat helped Kent reach two one-day finals last season

Sussex have signed Pakistani fast bowler Yasir Arafat, 26, as their overseas player for the 2009 season.

Arafat, who played for Kent last term, returns to Hove for a second season after featuring prominently in the county's double success of 2006.

Mark Robinson, Sussex's professional cricket manager, said: "Yasir's signing is fantastic news and we are flattered that he is keen to return to Hove.

"It's further evidence that players fall in love with the club."

Robinson added: "He's not only an outstanding new and old ball bowler, but a fantastic lower-middle order batsman, who should stand out in both our four and one-day cricket."

Arafat had impressive figures last season at Kent, despite the county suffering relegation in the Championship.

He took 38 first-class wickets in 12 games at an average of 29.07 and was Kent's leading wicket-taker in both one-day and Twenty20 cricket as they reached the Friends Provident Trophy and Twenty20 Cup finals.

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