Pak all-rounder Rana Naved returns to English county Sussex

Karachi, Jan 27: Pakistan all-rounder Rana Navedul Hasan will play for English county Sussex as their overseas player for the first half of the season.

Naved, who played for Sussex between 2005 to 2007, and with Yorkshire for the first month of the last season, will be available until the end of June.

He is a crowd favourite at Hove after twice playing a pivotal role in Sussex’s Championship wins in 2006 and 2007.

“We’re delighted that Rana is returning this summer, as he was like a breath of fresh air when he was with us last year. The energy and match-winning threat he gives us will be an important ingredient for what hopefully will be a successful season, ” the Daily Times quoted Sussex coach Mark Robinson, as saying.

Naved, who is currently representing Tasmania in Australia’s Big Bash Twenty20 competition, has played nine Tests, 74 one-dayers and four Twenty 20 internationals, but has been omitted from Pakistan’s World Cup squad.

He has not played for his country for almost a year after having been banned for twelve months for indiscipline on the 2009-10 tour of Australia, although that decision was overturned in October.