Pakistan Test batsman Younis Khan will now definitely be joining up with Yorkshire before for the start of the new season in a month's time.

This means Australian left-hander Matthew Elliott is unlikely to be called up as short-term cover for Younis as had been previously arranged.

As reported in today's T&A, Younis had been due to arrive at Headingley Carnegie on May 7 because it was expected he would be playing for Pakistan in the World Cup until late April.

But Pakistan's failure to reach the Super Eight stage means they will return home after tomorrow's final group match against Zimbabwe.

Yorkshire chief executive Stewart Regan has contacted Younis in Jamaica and the player has confirmed he wants to join up with his new team-mates by mid-April.

"This is excellent news and it is the preferred way forward for us," said Regan.

"It will be much better for Younis to arrive in time for the first match against Surrey at The Oval, rather than coming over three weeks later."

Younis is due to get married upon his return to Pakistan but he has assured Yorkshire this will not affect his cricket plans.

Regan is currently in negotiations with Elliott, who played for Yorkshire towards the end of the 2002 season and was looking forward to meeting up with some of his former colleagues again.

"We don't want to let Matthew down in any way and we are trying to help him secure another county to play cricket with," said Regan.

Meanwhile, Leeds-based Richard Levin has been elected to the Yorkshire Members' Committee in place of David Tunbridge, from Chesterfield.

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