The Director of Cricket was frustrated at the weekend when Aussie all-rounder Andrew Symonds rejected the chance to aid our Championship title bid throughout August, while Fleming is involved in New Zealand's tour of Zimbabwe.

But Newell already had three other targets in mind and one of those was 27-year-old Younis, an established Test star with nine centuries in 37 appearances for Pakistan.

Said Newell: "We have verbally agreed a deal with Younis and his agent and I'm expecting the loose ends to be tied up on Friday.

"It's vital that we get a quality replacement for Stephen if we are to stay in contention for the title and I'm confident that Younis fits the bill.

"He has a tremendous recent record and everyone I've spoken to about him has given him a good character reference."