February 01, 2008	Friday	Muharram 22, 1429

LEEDS (England), Jan 31: Yorkshire have confirmed Rana Naved-ul-Hasan as their man overseas player for the 2008 English county season after the Pakistan pace bowler passed a fitness test on a shoulder injury.

The 29-year-old is now set to arrive at Headingley in April having sustained the injury during Sussex’s successful pursuit of the County Championship title last year.

“I am relieved that this period of uncertainty is now over and I can become a Yorkshire player in 2008,” Naved said in a statement.

“I am pleased with my progress and feel in good shape. I am confident I can take wickets for Yorkshire and look forward to joining the club at the start of the season.”

Yorkshire are so determined to ensured Naved doesn’t feel under pressure to make a comeback before he is absolutely ready they are planning to bring an as yet unnamed overseas player for their first few weeks of the county campaign.

“We are delighted with Rana’s progress; he has made a remarkable recovery and we are particularly impressed with his desire to play for Yorkshire,” said the county’s chief executive, Stewart Regan.

“We want to ensure he has the best possible chance to fully recover from his injury and therefore we have agreed with Rana and his agent to delay his debut for several weeks so that when he returns he is in top condition.

He added: “We have an exciting contingency plan for a second overseas player to play for the club during the first part of the season. This will be announced early next week.”

Naved is an experienced bowler in English conditions after three successful years with Sussex.

Naved last played for Pakistan in the opening match of the 2007 World Cup against the West Indies at Kingston. In 62 One-day Internationals he has claimed 95 wickets, while in nine Tests he had taken 18 wickets.—AFP