Rana poised for Yorkshire return

Rana Naved-ul-Hasan is due to arrive at Headingley in time for Sunday's Friends Provident Trophy match

Pakistani fast bowler Rana Naved-ul-Hasan is set to link up with Yorkshire after he was granted a work permit.

There were doubts over whether he would fulfil the second season of his two-year contract, prompting Yorkshire to deliver an ultimatum that he would be released from his contract if he did not return to Headingley by 5.00pm on May 1.

But director of professional cricket Martyn Moxon said: “Rana has been playing first-class cricket back home and we expect him to be fully fit.

“He could come into contention for Sunday’s Friends Provident Trophy match against Gloucestershire Gladiators at Headingley Carnegie.”

Yorkshire have plenty of young fast bowlers who could fill Naved’s shoes but Tim Bresnan’s call-up to the England Test squad means that his county will be particularly relieved that the Pakistani is on his way.