Undercliffe's overseas star Jaffer Nazir has been involved in a Pakistan training squad and faced a race against time to take his place in tomorrow's SDS Bradford League Division One clash against champions Pudsey Congs.

The former East Bierley player, who was due to fly to England today, was a surprise inclusion in the 20-man party from which the 15-man squad to tour Sri Lanka next month will be selected.

But the Pakistan selectors left out Pudsey Congs' star fast bowler Naveed Rana-ul-Hassan, below, and the title holders now hope to have him back in their squad for next weekend - a month earlier than expected.

Undercliffe Cricket Chairman Brian Lymbery admitted: "We expect Jaffer to arrive on Friday if he doesn't get kept on for the tour."

Congs were far happier with the news. "We are both surprised and delighted about Rana because we have two big games next weekend against Pudsey St Lawrence in the league and East Bierley in the Priestley Cup," said Cricket Chairman Derek Reason.

"We had planned to be without him until the end of May and had signed up England Under-19 paceman Nadeem Malik from Nottinghamshire as cover. It is too short notice to get Rana here for tomorrow but I am confident he will arrive for next week."

Malik is included in the Congs team tomorrow while left arm spinner Glenn Roberts returns after a holiday in Australia. They replace David Paynter, currently playing for Northants in the County Championship match against Gloucestershire and Neil Nicholson.

East Bierley were delighted with the performance of new signing Tabissum Bhatti in last week's four-wicket win over Gomersal and it is no surprise that they have named an unchanged side for the tough home clash with Pudsey St Lawrence.

Mirfield, who marked their Division One debut with a win over Idle, visit Cleckheaton who suffered a ten-wicket defeat at Pudsey Congs.

In the day's other matches, former Yeadon skipper Craig Thornton faces his old club for Baildon, Farsley tackle Spen Victoria, Gomersal entertain Hanging Heaton and Woodlands are home to Idle.