Sussex want Rashid Khan to keep having fun – after extending his stay.

The world’s No.1 spinner of the white ball is now on board for the full group stage of the Vitality Blast.

He will look to get among the wickets when leaders Gloucestershire visit Hove tonight (7pm).

Rashid has been a big hit since arriving for the first half of the group programme.

He has agreed to stay for all 14 fixtures but will not be around for the knockout stages should Sussex get there.

Sharks coach Jason Gillespie, who was influential in getting the Afghanistan star on board, said: “Rash has been absolutely brilliant here.

“The lads really enjoy him and he is having a lot of fun.

“There were s couple of moments of magic t Kent on Friday.

“He took a wonderful catch and he bowled a great delivery to get rid of Joe Denly, who was looking quite dangerous.”

Tonight’s game would have been Rashid’s last for the club but the 19-year-old’s withdrawal from the Caribbean Premier League has freed him up to star at Sussex.

Gillespie added: “I’m very big on continuity when it comes to tournaments and, as a general rule, I prefer not to have players dropping in for a few games.

“Having said that, Rashid is the No.1 T20 bowler in the world and so having him in the team for any number of games would have added value – as we have already seen - but to now have him available for the whole of the group stage is absolutely wonderful.”

Rashid, looking for his first wicket at Hove tonight, added: “I had always wanted to play more than the first seven games so when I heard I was now going to be free, I asked the club straight away if they would like me to stay or the full 14 matches.

“Thankfully, they also wanted me to stay.

“I’m really enjoying my time at Sussex so far and I’m looking forward to the rest of the matches here.

“Let’s hope we can win many of them!”

Sharks: from Wright, Salt, Wells, Evans, Bruce, Burgess, Rawlins, Wiese, Jordan, Archer, Khan, Robinson, Beer, Mills.