SETTLE’S Pakistani professional Imran Khalid could be bowling his googlies against Alastair Cook’s England this autumn.

The slow left-armer, who helped Settle win the league’s Twenty20 title this week, has returned home early to play for Faisalabad in the Pakistan Premier League — and he is on Pakistan’s radar.

“Imran got a call from the ex-Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez , who told him that if he performs well in the Pakistan Premier League he could be in the Pakistan squad this winter,” revealed Settle captain Tom Davidson.

“It is a huge incentive for the Pakistan captain to get in touch and say they are backing you.

“It is a really exciting prospect for Imran, and we all hope that he can force his way into the Pakistan squad and stay there.”

Pakistan take on England in Abu Dhabi next month, and the series will include three Tests, four one-day internationals and three Twenty20 internationals.

Khalid’s early departure means he will miss their final three games, against Earby today, Sunday’s clash at Cherry Tree and the final fixture of the campaign at Baxenden.

But before he left, the 32-year-old put pen to paper on a new contract at Marshfield, meaning he will return for a third season in the Ribblesdale League next April.

Khalid enjoyed another run feast this term, smashing 1,327 runs in all competitions, including a season’s best of 142 against Daisy Hill in the Lancashire Cup.

The Pakistan all-rounder also reeled in 69 wickets.

“Imran went close to playing for Pakistan’s Twenty20 side last season, but he injured his finger playing for us and missed out,” added Davidson.

“I have no doubt that he would cut it at international level because he is such a clever bowler.

“He has a fantastic temperament and I’ve never seen him get angry once — he is the ultimate professional on and off the pitch.”

Davidson, who also plays rugby union for Yorkshire club Wharfedale, should be fit for the start of next season’s Ribblesdale League campaign following a cruciate knee ligament injury.

Leaders Clitheroe, meanwhile, could take up another giant step towards the title today with victory at Great Harwood where they will be favourites to claim the victory.

Read, in second place and who are not in action today, lock horns with Clitheroe at Whalley Road on Sunday.

Read kept the heat on Clitheroe with two wins over Baxenden and Settle last weekend and, while they could yet still have a say in the outcome of the championship race, Clitheroe remain firm favourites to take the title for the third year in a row.

Meanwhile, in Section B the race for promotion is a three-horse race between leaders Euxton, Padiham and Salesbury.

Today: Section A: Cherry Tree v Baxenden, Great Harwood v Clitheroe, Settle v Earby, Whalley v Oswaldtwistle Immanuel.

Section B: Brooksbottom v Brinscall, Euxton v Barnoldswick, Ribblesdale Wanderers v Padiham, Salesbury v Edenfield.

Tomorrow: Section A: Baxenden v Great Harwood, Cherry Tree v Settle, Earby v Oswaldtwistle Immanuel, Read v Clitheroe.