Coach Mark Robinson believes Rana Naved will play another key role for Sussex this season despite his horror show for Pakistan.

The 28-year-old conceded 92 runs in just eight overs during Sunday's oneday international against South Africa at Centurion.

South Africa captain Graeme Smith smashed six fours in one over during Rana's opening spell and his economy rate of 11.50 was the worst by any Pakistan bowler in ODIs who has bowled at least five overs. He also bowled four no balls and five wides.

Pakistan's team management were rallying around him and the rest of the side today after they were thrashed by 164 runs. South Africa scored 392-6, the sixth highest total in ODI history.

Skipper Inzaman ul-Haq said: "These guys have performed well over the last couple of years and I am 100 per cent behind them."

But the sight of Rana being carted all over Supersport Park will have alarmed Sussex supporters with the new season just ten weeks away.

He has returned some expensive analysis for Sussex in the past - but he is also a genuine wicket-taker in both forms of the game.

Robinson said: "Obviously it's not ideal to see Rana going all round the park like that, as much for his own confidence as anything else.

"He didn't have a great time in 2006.

He didn't play much after he injured his groin for us and that might have affected his confidence a bit.

"When he got fit again towards the end of the season the best thing was probably for him to go home and rest but he wanted to help see us over the finishing line in the Championship which he did."

Robinson emphasises the different roles Rana plays for country and county and has noted how his best performances for Pakistan have come when he has been kingpin of the bowling attack.

"At Sussex he is different. He's the man - a real character in the dressing room and someone the other guys respect and a person our supporters love," he added.

"Rana is looking to get a wicket with every ball. It can be difficult for (captain) Chris Adams sometimes because Rana follows his own plans and not always the skipper's!

"But his role with Pakistan is different.

Their culture is different.

There is a social hierarchy and some very big characters in their side and sometimes a player can almost get squashed.

"I think it's interesting that when Rana broke into their team in Australia in 2005 it was after Mohammed Sami and Shoaib Akhtar had gone home and he had to carry the attack and was the players the others looked up to."

Rana has taken 93 wickets in 56 ODIs and will be desperate to regain some form in time for next month's World Cup in the West Indies.

Like the other countries, Pakistan are due to confirm their squad on February 15 and despite his poor performance on Sunday Rana is almost certain to go to the Caribbean.

It will mean both he and Mushtaq Ahmed, who has a coaching role with the team, missing the first match of Sussex's Championship defence against Kent on April 18.

Once the squads have been confirmed, Robinson will assess who can step in as short-term overseas replacements for the two players, who might miss the game with Warwickshire a week later depending on how far Pakistan progress in the tournament.

Robinson added: "I have spoken to Mushy during the winter and I will probably have another chat with him soon and I'm sure we will talk about Rana.

"But we're looking forward to having him back and I'm sure he will make a big contribution to this team again."