Yorkshire chief executive Stewart Regan has confirmed that following negotiations Rana Naved-ul-Hasan will be eligible to play for the county in the 2008 domestic season.

The 30-year-old seamer played for Sussex last season but doubt had surrounded his availability for Yorkshire because of his involvement with the unauthorised Indian Cricket League (ICL).

It had been thought that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) could refuse Rana a No Objection Certificate even though spinner Mushtaq Ahmed was granted consent to play for Sussex recently despite his ICL links.

But Regan explained that following protracted discussions between Yorkshire, the PCB and the England and Wales Cricket Board, Rana has been cleared to play in the forthcoming campaign.

"The last few weeks have been very complicated for the club," Regan said.

"We have tried hard to cope with the conflicting feedback received in relation to whether this player could join us in 2008 given his participation in the unauthorised ICL.

"I'm extremely pleased that this now appears to be behind us and we look forward to welcoming Rana to Headingley in early April when he will join up with the rest of the squad."

Rana will still be required to obtain a valid work permit but this should not be a problem in light of his recent spell at Sussex.

The right-armer, who has played nine Tests and 62 one-day internationals for Pakistan, is relieved that the matter has been resolved positively.

Rana said: "I have maintained throughout the last few weeks that I would be allowed to play cricket for Yorkshire and that my participation in the ICL would not get in the way of that dream.

"I am not contracted to the Pakistan Cricket Board and could not see why they should wish to prevent me from playing the game I love in Yorkshire.

"I made many friends in the county when I played club cricket a few years ago and I am really looking forward to pulling on a Yorkshire shirt. I will give everything I have for my county."

Rana is currently returning from a shoulder injury he suffered while playing for Sussex against Durham last season and is set to miss the start of the season.

Yorkshire coach Martyn Moxon confirmed that South African paceman Morne Morkel will occupy the overseas position until Rana is considered fit enough to return.

"Rana has always been a player I've thought very highly of and I am extremely relieved and pleased that he will be with us this year," Moxon said.

"We are conscious that he needs time to fully recover from his shoulder injury, which is why we have Morne Morkel for the early weeks of the season, but a fully fit Rana will be a huge boost for the club.

"He has proved in India recently that he can bowl and take wickets but we want to be satisfied that he can also cope with the demands of fielding, especially throwing, before we play him in the first XI.

"He is a very determined man and his desire to play for this club and cut through all of the politics involved, has been particularly impressive."

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