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Tanvir's Worcestershire arrival put back

Sohail Tanvir will be late arriving for Worcestershire's FLt20 campaign © AFP

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Worcestershire's hopes in the Friends Life t20 have taken a blow with the news that Sohail Tanvir, the Pakistan bowler, has been delayed in arriving in the UK due to complications in obtaining a visa.

Tanvir had hoped to arrive early next week to join the Worcestershire squad as their second overseas player alongside Australian batsman Phillip Hughes, in time for their match against Glamorgan on June 20 but his unexpected call up to the Pakistan ODI squad meant he is unable to complete the visa application in Sri Lanka.

He was called up to the Pakistan T20 squad but then was then asked to stay on for the ODI series. He has taken five wickets in two T20s and three ODIs, one abandoned, with two more matches to come.

"It was hoped that the final part of Sohail's visa application could be completed while in Sri Lanka," David Leatherdale, Worcestershire's chief executive, said. "Unfortunately, this has not been the case. Sohail will now be travelling back to Pakistan on conclusion of the ODI series on Tuesday to complete the process.

"It is expected that Sohail will then be able to join us early in the week commencing June 25 for our last five important group matches. We hope that he will make the same impact as he did in the two match series against Sri Lanka, which saw him win the man of the series."

Worcestershire begin their campaign away to Warwickshire on June 15 and hope Tanvir's T20 record - 87 wickets at 23.14, including 17 wickets in 21 international T20s for Pakistan - can help improve their poor recent record in the Flt20; they have not qualified for a quarter-final since 2007 and have never been to finals day.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.