YOUNIS Khan says he is desperate to bring success back to Surrey and insists the Lions have a great chance to be a force in this season's Twenty20.

The Pakistan international, who was a key member of their side who won the World Twenty20 in England last year, believes there is a real buzz around the club ahead of the tournament.

He said: "With England becoming Twenty20 World Champions everything has changed.

"In the first couple of years everybody thought it was entertainment cricket.

"But in the last couple of years it's become more serious. It's big business and the players put in 120 per cent, sometimes 200 per cent. I think the introduction of the Twenty20 has been a good investment by England."

And Khan revealed he could have been lining up in the tournament for the Lightning, had Surrey not made their move.

He said: "I first heard from Surrey about a month ago. I was in touch with Lancashire. They wanted me from June to the end of the season.

"Then, suddenly, I got a call to say that Surrey were interested in me, which I was really excited by, especially as I hadn't played any cricket for two months."

And Khan claims the Lions have enough talent to go far in the competition.

"I think the future looks good for Surrey. I'm here to share my international and first class experience," added the 32-year-old.

"I'm always there for the youngsters. I can learn from them as well, so it's two-way traffic.

"At the moment Surrey have a couple of old players and a young team. So I think this is the time for youngsters to follow the likes of Ramprakash."

Prior to his arrival, it was rumoured that Surrey might ask Younis to open the batting - a role the batsman, who has scored more than 5,000 runs in Test cricket, said he had no problem fulfilling if asked.

He said: "I don't mind which number I bat.

"When I played for South Australia in 2009 I was at number four for the first couple of matches. But our openers were struggling, so my coach said to me: 'How about opening?' I said: 'Why not? I have nothing to lose.' So I opened and against Queensland, at the Gabba, I made a hundred in the first innings, which was fantastic."