GREAT Harwood Cricket Club have signed Pakistani all-rounder Rauf Akbar as their professional for this season.
The 31-year-old will replace Syed Shahabuddin who has been denied the right to return by the UK Border Agency.
Akbar is a right arm seam bowler who has had a successful winter for Islamabad in Pakistan, and a useful middle order batsman with a first class century this season.
Rauf has a tough act to follow with Great Harwood having won the league championship for the first time in 108 years, with outgoing professional Shahabuddin taking 97 league wickets in a weather-hit season.
However he is keen to come and make an impression in the Ribblesdale League after a spell in the Northern League for Preston CC between 2002-2004.
RUSSELL Whalley will be the Harwood captain this season.