T20 FINALS DAY: Afridi will be available for Steelbacks

The Pakistan legend, who played in the Steelbacks’ opening six games in this season’s competition, flew back to England on Friday.

And he will now be in the squad for the semi-final battle with holders Birmingham Bears at Edgbaston on Saturday morning (start time 11am).

Northants head coach David Ripley had said there was ‘an outside chance’ of Afridi returning.

And the deal has now been done, with the 35-year-old all-rounder adding vital experience to the Steelbacks’ title bid.

Ripley will be hoping his men, who won the T20 tournament at Edgbaston in 2013, can beat the Bears and set up a final against either Hampshire or Lancashire later in the day.