Afridi wanted by three English County teams for T20 clashes

Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi is wanted by at least three English County teams for next season's Friends Provident Twenty20 competition.

A deal is expected to be finalised in the second week of January for the 'in-demand' Twenty20 captain of Pakistan, who was one of Pakistan's key performers as they lifted the Twenty20 World Cup earlier this year, reports the website pakpassion.net.

Former England opener Geoff Boycott recently described Afridi, 29, as the best one-day all-rounder in the world.

Afridi is looking to take part in the whole of the Friends Provident Trophy, which is due to be played in June and July of next year. However, the Asia Cup schedule is yet to be finalised, and this may mean that Afridi is only available for part of the Twenty20 competition in England.

Afridi is fast becoming a popular choice when it comes to Twenty20 cricket around the world, having already signed a deal to represent South Australia in the forthcoming Aussie Big Bash. He will also be representing the Nashua Dolphins in South Africa's domestic Twenty20 competition next year.

Afridi previously played for the Deccan Chargers in the inaugural Indian Premier League, and is one of 12 Pakistani players who are expected to be listed in the auction for next year's IPL competition.