Yorkshire Issue Warning To Rana

Yorkshire are furious with Pakistan fast bowler Rana Naved-ul-Hasan after he signed up for the Indian Cricket League (ICL) despite fears that he could aggravate his shoulder injury.

Rana's is due to arrive at Yorkshire in June, but was only expected to start playing top-level cricket in June as his shoulder is still giving him trouble.

Yorkshire Chief Executive Stewart Regan has warned the 30-year-old that the county could review his contract.

"We have written a strong letter to the player and his agent expressing our concern,"

Regan told the Yorkshire Post.

"We have advised Rana that we are not happy and we reserve the right to review his contract when he comes here.

"If there are any suggestions that his injury has been aggravated by playing in that tournament, it could impact on the contract he has to play for us in 2008 and 2009.

"His contract with Yorkshire does not start until April so we cannot prevent him from playing in the ICL. What disappoints us is that he has gone against the advice that the club has given him.

"If we wanted, we could have exercised our get-out clause in December. We could have said 'thanks, but we're not prepared to take the risk'. We have backed him, because he is a player who excites us. He wants to come to Yorkshire - he turned down the chance to go to Leicestershire for more money. We are investing in him for the long-term."

Fit-again Naved set to star for Yorkshire

LEEDS: Yorkshire have confirmed Rana Naved 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 ther 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.

Rana Told To Prove His Fitness

Yorkshire have set overseas signing Rana Naved-ul-Hasan a deadline of the end of the month to prove his fitness.

The Pakistan seamer dislocated his shoulder when he crashed into an advertising hoarding fielding in a match for county champions Sussex last season.

The 29-year-old was later signed by Yorkshire for 2008 but the club are now concerned about his recovery.

A statement on the club's website confirmed the player will undergo a final assessment with their physio on January 31.

It added:

"The club has been determined to give Rana time to prove his rehabilitation from the shoulder injury sustained when playing for Sussex at the end of last season.

"If he has not recovered sufficiently to play for Yorkshire this summer a contingency plan is in existence."