Sussex re-sign all-rounder Rana Naved-ul-Hasan

Naved helped Sussex to back-to-back titles last decade

Pakistan's Rana Naved-ul-Hasan will return to Sussex as early-season cover for compatriot Yasir Arafat.

Sussex have turned to the 32-year-old as Arafat will be with his country's squad for the ICC World Twenty20 in the West Indies until 21 May.

Naved helped Sussex to the 2005 and 2006 County Championship titles during his previous spell for the club.

The county's cricket manager Mark Robinson said: "We are fortunate to have a player of Rana's quality."

Naved endured a difficult season at Yorkshire last year but caught the eye with a blistering 42 not out from 15 balls and three for 44 to set up a Pro40 victory over Durham at Scarborough.

Robinson added: "He knows the club well, will fit in quickly and add some depth to our bowling attack as well as provide some useful runs."

All-rounder Naved was not eligible for the World Twenty20 as he was one of several national team players handed lengthy bans last month following their dreadful tour of Australia.

He has received a no-objection certificate from the Pakistan Cricket Board and is awaiting his visa, with the Championship clash at home to Surrey on 15 April pencilled in as his first appearance.