HAMPSHIRE Cricket have announced the signing of Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi for the 2016 NatWest T20 Blast.

The Pakistan T20 skipper will arrive at the Ageas Bowl ahead of the start of Hampshire’s T20 Blast campaign and will be available for the entire tournament.

Afridi quickly became a fans’ favourite in his last spell at Hampshire in 2011, impressing with both the bat and the ball as the club reached the semi-finals of the T20 domestic competition.

This included 80 from just 42 balls in the semi-final against Somerset at Edgbaston.

Afridi said: “I am very pleased to be returning to Hampshire, I really enjoyed my previous spells there and I’m looking forward to spending some time on the beautiful south coast and playing some serious cricket in front of the Hampshire fans at the Ageas Bowl.”

The big-hitting all-rounder is hugely experienced, having played in all of the major T20 competitions across the world and he currently holds the record for the most wickets in T20 Internationals.

Hampshire director of cricket Giles White said: “This year it has been a challenge to get the top players over for significant periods of the Blast so we are delighted that he is available for the entire tournament. Shahid made a huge impression last time he was with us and his return is a major boost ahead of our T20 campaign.”