WORCESTERSHIRE have secured the signing of left-handed Pakistani international Sohail Tanvir for the Friends Life t20 campaign.

The 6ft 5ins all-rounder has recently featured in the Mi-WAY T20 Challenge where he helped Highveld Lions reach the final of South Afr-ica’s equivalent of the fast-paced competition.

Tanvir, 27, also captains his home side, Rawalpindi Rams, in Pakistan’s 20-over cup.

The left-armer’s bowling figures of 6-14 for Rajasthan Royals in the inaugural IPL tournament remains the best bowling return in the five years of the competition.

He will also look to better his current T20 best with the bat of 60 not out off 44 balls against Lahore Lions in his home competition in 2011.

Tanvir is in the 16-man squad to represent Pakistan in their upcoming two-match T20 series in Sri Lanka.

Worcestershire director of cricket Steve Rhodes said: “Sohail is an ideal replacement for Saeed Ajmal bec-ause Saeed was a tremendous bowler at the death and this is the type of role we want Sohail to play.

“Added to his bowling skills, he also has the ability to hit the ball hard which is an obvious asset at the end of our innings. We look forward to welcoming Sohail to the club.”

Tanvir said: “I am really excited and looking forward to playing for Worcestershire in the FLt20 tournament.

“I know a lot about Worcestershire having spoken at length to Saeed, who played at Worcestershire last year, and he spoke very highly of the club and set-up.

“I look forward to joining the rest of the squad after my Pakistan T20 international commitments in Sri Lanka are concluded in early June.”