Yorkshire confirm Rana signing

Yorkshire seamer Rana Naved-ul-Hasan © Getty Images

Pakistan seamer Rana Naved-ul-Hasan will be Yorkshire’s primary overseas player for 2008 after passing a pre-season fitness test.

Rana was given until the end of January to show significant recovery from a shoulder injury incurred during Sussex’s push for the County Championship title last summer.

“I am relieved that this period of uncertainty is now over and I can become a Yorkshire player in 2008,” said Rana. “I am pleased with my progress and feel in good shape.”

Rana, 29, will join up with his new Headingley Carnegie colleagues at the start of April on the back of medical advice that he should not push his comeback from injury too early.

“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 Yorkshire 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.

“We have an exciting contingency plan for a second overseas player to play for the club during the first part of the season.”

The identity of the individual to fill in for Rana, who spent three successful seasons with Sussex, is anticipated next week.