Saqlain Mushtaq has enlisted the help of his MP to end his frustrating wait to make his Sussex bow.

The 30-year-old former Pakistan off-spinner is not able to make his first-class debut after signing a two-year contract in March until his British citizenship is accepted, a passport issued and he becomes qualified as an EU player.

The passport forms were submitted in April and he has passed the citizenship test but his application is waiting to be processed by the Home Office.

Saqlain met with Sadiq Khan, the Labour MP for Tooting, a fortnight ago and Mr Khan has promised to take up his case.

"No one knows how long it will take but there is quite a long backlog so I will have to be patient," said Saqlain.

"I did the citizenship test on the computer and it was quite difficult but I passed. I didn't have to learn the national anthem, just answer questions about the function of Parliament and things like that."

If the passport came tomorrow, Saqlain is confident he could play the next day which is testament to the hard work he has put in to get himself match fit in the last three months.

Sussex physiologist Ben Haining and physiotherapist Stuart Osborne will have been called a few things over the years by the Sussex lads, but it must be the first time they have been likened to angels. Saqlain added: "Fitness-wise I feel good. Stuart and Ben have worked me really hard - they are killing me every day.

"I call them my two angels. Ossie is the angel of health and Ben the angel of power!"

It has been a long process which is not surprising considering that Saqlain has undergone major reconstructive surgery on both knees in recent years.

He played the last of his 49 Tests and 161 one-day internationals for Pakistan in 2003-04 and the huge part he had in Surrey's dominance of domestic cricket during the late Nineties seems nothing more than a pleasant memory for him now.

Sacrifices have had to made in the drive to get fit. His compatriots Mushtaq Ahmed and Rana Naved are regular visitors to the clubhouse at the entrance to the County Ground which is his base this summer.

"They have banned me from eating curries and chapatis - it is not good!" he laughed.

"I just have to be careful what I eat but I have lost 3kg and my fat level is down as well.

"It's very frustrating waiting. Everyone is playing, the sun is out and I can only watch. But if the passport came through today I would be able to play tomorrow."

Sussex signed Saqlain with 2008 rather than this season in mind.

Neither Mushtaq or Rana are contracted beyond this season and the county will have to make a difficult decision at the end of it because only one overseas player per county is allowed next year.

But coach Mark Robinson has been impressed with Saqlain's commitment to his rehabilitation work. They have carefully monitored the amount of second-team cricket he plays but, according to the other players, he is bowling beautifully in practice and his famed doosra' delivery remains a potent weapon.

He said: "It is just a gradual process. Last month I was up and down a bit but since then my fitness has been improving gradually. My body is getting used to bowling long spells again.

"I am working every day. Even when I'm back in London seeing my family for a few days I have a specific programme from Ben to follow. I feel good but there is always room for improvement."

There is, of course, the possibility that Saqlain will not be able to play any first-team cricket this season, depending on how near he is to the top of the pile at the Home Office.

If that is the case, he is considering spending three months in Australia during the winter practising and playing competitive grade cricket to get himself ready for next season.

"Perth is a possibility or Sydney," he said, "Adam Hollioake, my old Surrey captain, is coming over from Perth this month and I might try and organise something through him. If not I will stay here and work hard on my game.

"I like it down here. When the holidays start my kids will be down and it will be nice for them by the sea. If the family are happy so am I but it would be nice to play some cricket with the Sussex boys soon."