Rana Naved-ul-Hasan returns to Sussex

Sussex have signed Rana Naved-ul-Hasan as their overseas player for the opening few weeks of the season as cover while Yasir Arafat is with Pakistan at the Twenty20 World Cup.

Rana previously played a pivotal role at Hove when Sussex won the 2005 and 2006 County Championship titles, with the 32-year-old taking 139 first-class wickets at an average of 22.41.

He was at Yorkshire last year but struggled to establish himself despite starring in one game, scoring 42 not out from 15 balls and three for 44 to set up a Pro40 victory over Durham at Scarborough.

Rana is currently serving a one-year ban from the PCB for poor behaviour but is free to play non-international cricket. Mark Robinson, the Sussex coach, is looking forward to his presence in the dressing room.

"We are extremely fortunate to have a player of the quality of Rana to cover Yasir. He knows the club well, will fit in quickly and add some depth to our bowling attack as well as provide some useful runs."