Imran Arif is available to play for Worcestershire as a non-overseas player after being granted a British passport.
Paceman becomes English-qualified
Imran Arif is available to play for Worcestershire as a non-overseas player after being granted a British passport.
The Pakistan-born fast bowler, 25, stepped into the breach as the Royals' overseas player during the second half of last season when West Indies paceman Fidel Edwards was unable to take up his position at New Road through injury.
He claimed 22 wickets in six first-class games, including 5-50 on his debut, after impressing in the second XI during the first half of the season.
Arif, who is married to a British woman, was rewarded with a contract for the 2009 and 2010 campaigns subject to obtaining the passport as Australian all-rounder Ashley Noffke is the county's overseas player this summer.
A Worcestershire spokesman said: "In the autumn of 2008 Imran took and passed the UK citizenship test and immediately applied for British citizenship.
Passport granted
"This was confirmed in February which enabled Imran to apply for a British passport.
"This passport has now arrived and he can now be registered to play for Worcestershire as an English-qualified player."
Worcestershire director of cricket Steve Rhodes added: "Imran showed a lot of potential last summer after stepping up at short notice for his first taste of first-class cricket.
"If he bowls in 2009 like he did last year, we will be very impressed."
Meanwhile, Noffke has, as expected, undergone minor surgery in Australia to relieve pressure on a nerve in his back which has restricted his appearances for Queensland this winter.
He will now need permission from Cricket Australia to play for Worcestershire as a centrally-contracted player but the county are optimistic he will get the green light.
