SETTLE'S title hopes have been given a massive boost with news that they are poised to sign Pakistani international Mohammad Hafeez as their professional for the rest of the season.

The signing will be a major coup for the Dales club as 24-year-old Hafeez has three test matches and 30 one-day internationals under his belt.

He made a test match century against Bangladesh in 2003 and was man of the match in a one-day international against England at Old Trafford in June the same year.

The right-hand batsmen, who also bowls off-spin, will play both matches for Settle this weekend in the league and cup double header against Blackburn Northern - where he has ironically been sub-professional this season.

He agreed terms in principle with the club on Tuesday and is expected to sign a contract after Sunday's match.

Skipper Andrew Davidson said: "This is obviously a major coup for the club. Hafeez becomes our first Pakistani professional and the first who is currently in or close to being in a test team.

"We had Collis King for a year, but he was an ageing 42 year-old. This lad is 24, a test player and has 30 one-day caps. He is hungry, lives and breathes cricket, is on top of his game and is a winner."

The North Craven side are still in the title frame in the Ribblesdale League Senior Division despite having had an inconsistent season to date largely because former professional Robin Morris had been struggling with a shoulder injury. The club recently parted company with Morris and failed to agree terms with Indian Tushar Arothe who played as a sub-pro for one game.

Sri Lankan test player Kumar Dharmasena deputised as professional for Settle in their match against Cherry Tree last week and showed what has been lacking at Marshfield this season. He took 3-32 and hit 77no to inspire Settle to an eight-wicket win.

Davison is now hoping Hafeez can make a similar impact.

He said: "We are sitting in third slot and until Dharmasena's contribution last Saturday, we were without a performance from our professional. On that basis, we have done well to stay in touch and in horse racing terms are tucked in nicely on the second bend with a lot of running still to be done.

"We hope that Hafeez will add that extra ingredient so that we can make a surge for the championship and cup double which eluded us last year."

Though Hafeez has not been able to cement a regular test slot, he has remained in the one-day fold and played his last international against India in early April.

But he was at the centre of controversy when he was reported for a suspect bowling action playing for Pakistan against the West Indies in the VB Series in Brisbane in January.

At only 24, Hafeez should also prove to be a valuable run-saver in the field. His performances at cover and point for Pakistan in the one-day game have earned acclaim.

Hafeez already has experience of local league cricket in this country having played in the Bradford League and York Senior League.

o For a Ribblesdale League round-up, see page 30.