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.

Inzamam to replace Younis at Yorkshire

Inzamam-ul-Haq is set to make his county debut for Yorkshire, replacing Younis Khan who will be with the Pakistan team at the Twenty20 World Championship. The former Pakistan captain will play three four-day and as many one-day matches for the county.

"I was approached by Yorkshire county for a short stint and I have accepted it, as I see it as a great opportunity to keep my fitness for a hectic international season,"

Inzamam said.

Inzamam, who retired from ODIs after Pakistan's disastrous World Cup campaign earlier this year, was not awarded a central contract but has maintained that he still wants to play Test cricket. With the domestic season not starting before the home series against South Africa, the short county stint will provide Inzamam the perfect opportunity to prove his fitness to national selectors.

Inzamam has also been linked with a move to the Indian Cricket League. However, no confirmation of that has been received.

Younis hammers double-ton for Yorks

LONDON: Pakistan’s prominent batsman Younis Khan hammered out his second unbeaten double century of the season as English cricket county Yorkshire made sure of maximum batting bonus points in a County Championship match against Kent which ended in a predictable draw at Scarborough after first two days had been hit by bad weather.

Younis Khan was in formidable form while amassing 217 not out and his broad bat helped Yorkshire reach 550 for nine declared which secured them a first innings lead of 64, the game ending with Kent on 17 without loss in their second innings.

Yorkshire took 12 points out of the match to remain top of Division One table and Kent managed 11 points.

Younis completed his century just before lunch off 131 balls including 10 fours and a six and he ended with 18 fours and six sixes from 252 deliveries.

His first double century — 202 not out — came early in May against Hampshire at Rose Bowl when he also rapped out a century to become the first Yorkshire batsman ever to achieve the feat and this latest effort was the only other occasion that he had made it to the 50 mark in a Championship match.