Yasir Arafat today prepared for his Sussex debut and declared: "I want to go back to Lord's."

Arafat is likely to be pitched into today's make-or-break C&G Trophy south conference clash with Hampshire at Hove. Victory would see Sussex into the final at Lord's on August 26 with a game to spare.

Sussex have been waiting on Arafat's work permit as they line him up to replace Rana Naved. But the ECB are happy with documents proving Arafat is eligible for a permit and the 24-year-old right-arm fast-medium all-rounder expects to play.

Arafat went through his paces in front of coach Mark Robinson at training yesterday and said: "I'm looking forward to my first game for Sussex.

"It's against a good team and it will be a huge game for me but I like to tackle this kind of pressure situation."

Sussex have not played in a Lord's final for 13 years and Arafat has waited since 1996 for a big game at headquarters.

He was a member of the Pakistan under-15 side which lost to India in a Lombard Challenge Cup final interrupted by two pitch invasions.

He said: "There was a lot of people there and some problems. We had players like Shoaib Malik, Taufeeq Umar and Kamran Akmal.

"That was my first game at Lord's and I never had another chance to play there. Obviously I thought I would return a bit sooner."

Sussex appear ready to gamble on throwing Arafat straight in to replace Rana, who has reported for duty with the touring Pakistan squad but could be ruled out for six weeks by a groin injury suffered in County Championship action.

Other that that change, the county have had a settled line-up in their seven games to date, six of which have been won.

Skipper Chris Adams believes his side deserve a chance to show what they can do on the big stage.

He said: "I would love to get to the final because I know what that sort of day is all about.

"It's something you remember for the rest of your career.

"I so much want the boys to have that sort of experience.

"They deserve it. I hope we get the reward for all our hard work, whether that's the C&G, the Twenty20 or in the Championship."

Hampshire expect to bring back seamer Chris Tremlett after he came through a midweek friendly against Southern League champions Bournemouth.