Pakistan's discarded all-rounder Sohail Tanvir will play for Surrey this season after signing a contract with the English county.

According to a senior official at Portfolio World - Tanvir's agency - Surrey has opted to sign the Rawalpindi-born player after considering several other bowlers from Pakistan and India for a stint this year.

"We feel at this stage it will do Sohail Tanvir a world of good to play in the county circuit in England. Historically, it is proven that legends like Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and many others gained a lot playing in the county circuit," said Salman Ahmed, Tanvir's agent.

The deal between Tanvir and Surrey was inked after the left-armer took three key wickets while playing for Rajasthan Royals against Middlesex in a charity Twenty20 game on June 6 at Lord's.

"We could have signed Sohail with a few other counties, but the Brit Oval (Surrey's home ground) is known to be a paradise for seam and fast bowlers. Sohail has been struggling with his form in recent days, and we feel this is a wonderful platform for him to focus on his shortcomings and return to form by playing regular cricket," said Ahmed.

Tanvir was part of Pakistan's ICC World Twenty20 squad but had to sit out of most of the event's matches because of poor form. He was overlooked for the tour of Sri Lanka currently in progress.

Tanvir, who won the purple cap for taking the most wickets in the inaugural Indian Premier League (IPL) season last summer, has vowed to regain his place in the national team.

"I got a big confidence booster at Lord's last month by taking three wickets for Rajasthan Royals and am looking forward to return to national duty soon," said Tanvir.

"I was troubled by a leg injury in the past few months," said Tanvir , who has taken 44 wickets from 31 One-day Internationals. "But I've recovered from it and hope to regain my form."