Naved-ul-Hasan signs with Sussex

Naved-ul-Hasan: on his way to Hove © Getty Images

Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, the Pakistan fast-medium swing bowler, has signed with Sussex for the 2005 season. He will join Mushtaq Ahmed at Hove, but will not arrive until June because of Pakistan's tour of the West Indies. Matthew Nicholson, the New South Wales fast bowler, is a possible short-term replacement.

Naved, 27, told BBC Sport:"I have always aspired to play in England. This chance with Sussex will provide me with a great opportunity to learn and improve. I heard from greats like Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis that a bowler improves by playing in England. I would love to polish my talent there."

Naved has played in three Tests, but has made more of an impact in the one-day arena, where his 22 ODIs have brought him 33 wickets at 30 apiece. He has proved an effective performer with the new ball, and was one of the few positives to come out of Pakistan's tour to Australia during December and January.

Recently, he has taken on added responsibility within the Pakistan attack because of the injuries to Shoaib Akhtar and poor form of Mohammed Sami. He is an ideal type of bowler for a county side, with the stamina to run in all day and exploit any hint of movement. As with many Pakistan seamers, he is a good exponent of reverse swing.