Rana rejoins Sussex

Rana Naved-ul-Hasan's century against Leicestershire in April kick-started Sussex's promotion in the LV= County Championship

Sussex have revealed Pakistan seam bowling all-rounder Rana Naved-ul-Hasan will return to the county as an overseas player for the first half of this season.

The 32-year-old, who played for Sussex from 2005 to 2007 and - after two years with Yorkshire - for the first month of last season, will be available until the end of June.

A firm favourite at Hove, Rana played a pivotal role as Sussex won Division One of the County Championship in 2006 and 2007.

In nine appearances last year he took 27 wickets and scored 258 runs, including 101 against Leicestershire in the championship.

Rana, who is currently representing Tasmanian Tigers in Australia’s domestic Twenty20 competition, has played in nine Tests, 74 one-day and four T20 internationals but is not in Pakistan’s World Cup squad.

He has not played for Pakistan for almost a year, having been banned for 12 months for indiscipline on the 2009-10 tour of Australia although that decision was quashed in October.

Sussex professional cricket manager Mark Robinson said: “We’re delighted that Rana is returning this summer as he was like a breath of fresh air when he was with us last year.

“The energy and match-winning threat he gives us will be an important ingredient for what hopefully will be a successful season.”