Khan committed to Yorkshire

12 April 2007

Younis Khan has dismissed reports he will not play for Yorkshire © Getty Images

Yorkshire have confirmed that Pakistan batsman Younis Khan will be available from the start of the LV County Championship season next week.

There were suggestions the player’s move to Headingley Carnegie could be in doubt after the Pakistan Cricket Board blocked Gloucestershire’s signing of Umar Gul on fitness grounds.

The PCB has also told fellow paceman Mohammad Asif, who played for Leicestershire last season, not to accept a county contract.

Khan, however, will join up his new team-mates next Monday and will be available for their opening championship match against Surrey at the Brit Oval, who starts on Wednesday.

Khan, 29, said: “I am aware the Pakistan Cricket Board have expressed concerns about the fitness levels of some of our players and are unhappy about their involvement in county cricket.

“However, I have played a lot of domestic cricket in Pakistan and am very fit right now. I will definitely be playing for Yorkshire next week.”

Khan was originally been due to join Yorkshire next month but his arrival date was brought forward after Pakistan’s premature elimination from the World Cup.

Yorkshire also expect to have Khan available in May after the player told the club he is unlikely to be involved in a three-match one-day series against Sri Lanka after discussions with the PCB.