Yasir Arafat will start his second spell with Sussex on May 10.

Pakistan have given the all-rounder permission to play for three weeks after their one-day series against Australia finishes.

He is then likely to link up with his national squad for the Twenty20 World Cup which starts on June 5.

Aussie bowler Damien Wright, who arrived at Hove yesterday, will deputise for Arafat until then and makes his debut against Gloucestershire in tomorrow’s Friends Provident Trophy tie at Bristol.

Coach Mark Robinson said: “We are pleased to know where we stand with Yasir’s avaliability. Damien is here now to do a spell but we are very excited about having Yasir back at Hove because of what he has to offer.”

Sussex’s three-day friendly against Cambridge UCCE at Fenner’s ended in a draw after no play was possible yesterday because of rain.