By JMB
December 19 2006

Mirza Tahir Hussain, who spent 18 years on death row in Pakistan, has received an early Christmas present from Yorkshire CCC. The cricket fan has been given club membership for the 2007 season where he will be able to admire the talents of Yorkshire's new overseas signing Younus Khan. The membership was presented by Yorkshire players Adil Rashid and Ajmal Shahzad and the club's chief executive, Stewart Regan. As an avid Yorkshire fan, Mr Hussain managed to follow the fortunes of the club during his time in prison through newspaper and radio reports.

Stewart Regan said: "We were delighted when we heard of Mirza's release and that he would be returning to Yorkshire. It is hard to imagine the terrible ordeal Mirza has been through. When we heard how he had tried to follow Yorkshire County Cricket Club while in prison we were thrilled to be able to give him a complimentary membership and welcome him to Headingley Carnegie Stadium."

Mirza spent 18 years in prison in Pakistan after he was convicted of murdering a taxi driver during a visit to the country. He strongly protested his innocence and a campaign for his release, supported by appeals from Leeds North West MP Greg Mulholland, Prime Minister Tony Blair and the Prince of Wales, led to his death sentence being commuted and to his release last month. The 36 year old is now seeking a pardon from Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf.