Rana's registration has been rubber-stamped by the England and Wales Cricket Board, despite the player having taken part in the rebel Indian Cricket League.

The ECB had insisted anyone taking part in an unsanctioned competition such as the ICL would be banned from county cricket after the world's governing bodies united in opposition to the Twenty20 tournament.

But the Pakistan Cricket Board's decision to break ranks and issue No Objection Certificates to Rana and Sussex leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed means both can play county cricket this summer.

Rana's two-year deal at Headingley Carnegie is still subject to him obtaining a valid work permit but the club say that is not expected to be a problem.

And although Rana has been bowling for Lahore Badshahs in the ICL, Yorkshire still believe he is not fully fit and have confirmed that South African pace bowler Morne Morkel will deputise for Rana while he makes a full recovery from a serious shoulder injury. Morkel is contracted at Headingley until the end of June.

Martyn Moxon, Yorkshire's director of professional cricket, said: "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.

"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."

Rana commented: "I have maintained throughout the last few weeks that I would be allowed to play cricket for Yorkshire and that my participation in the Indian Cricket League 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."

Stewart Regan, Yorkshire's chief executive, said: "The last few weeks have been very complicated for the club and 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 Indian Cricket League.

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

* Yorkshire are giving a trial to South African pace bowler Pepler Sandri. The 25-year-old, who hails from Italy and holds a European passport, will train with the club for the first month of the season after being recommended by club director Geoffrey Boycott, who lives in Paarl.

Sandri plays for Cape Cobras and has taken 62 wickets in 21 first-class games. He is also set to turn out for Huddersfield league club Clayton West.