Rana Naved claimed the third five-for of his short Sussex career yesterday and declared: "It's great to back."

The Pakistan quick bowler took 5-63 in his first appearance of the season as Sussex took control of their Championship match against Hampshire at the Rose Bowl.

After removing Michael Brown with the first ball of Hampshire's reply on Wednesday, the 28-year-old took four more wickets yesterday to make it 59 in just ten Championship appearances for the county.

He said: "I am really happy - it's a great start for me.

"The pitch was very good for bowling on Wednesday but yesterday it was a bit more even - batting was a little easier."

Rana's performances in the second half of last season, when he took 54 wickets and made a career-best 139 with the bat in just nine Championship games, persuaded Sussex to offer him a two-year contract.

He will join up with the Pakistan squad touring England in June but hopes to return to play the final Championship game of the season against Nottinghamshire in mid-September.

He added: "Deciding to come back this season was a difficult decision because I am very busy with the Pakistan team.

"But I was very keen to return to Sussex. Last year (former coach) Peter Moores helped me so much and now we have a new coach in Mark Robinson who is very good as well.

"And then there is Mushtaq Ahmed who has been such a big influence on my cricket, both here and in Pakistan.

"He is always talking to me in the field - urging me to bowl another couple of overs or get a wicket for the team.

"It's a lovely atmosphere among the team and the club. There is a break between the end of the Pakistan tour and the Champions Trophy in October and I would like to come back and play if I can at the end of the season."

Meanwhile, Sussex's hopes of persuading Shahid Afridi to stand in for Rana when he links up with Pakistan have been dealt a blow after the all-rounder reversed his earlier decision to retire from Test cricket.

He was persuaded by coach Bob Woolmer and Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan to change his mind after talks earlier this week and will now be available for the whole of the England tour.

Sussex may turn their attentions to another Pakistani - Yasir Arafat - as Rana's short-term replacement although no decision will be made until the Pakistan squad is announced next month.

Cricket Manager Robinson said: "That's the beauty of our situation - we can wait and see what happens a little bit with Pakistan because there are always going to be quality cricketers out there."We are being offered potential replacements for Rana on a fairly regular basis."