Sussex are confident of signing a new overseas player in the next 48 hours despite failing to acquire Mohammad Asif.

The 25-year-old was all set to join the county as a short-term replacement for the injured Mushtaq Ahmed till the PCB intervened, saying it would not allow the fast bowler to join.

The PCB said they wpuld not allow their players to play in England in order to keep them free of injury ahead of the Champions Trophy in September.

A PCB spokesman said: "We don't encourage our pace bowlers to play in foreign leagues because we have faced a lot of fitness issues with our fast bowlers in recent times. That is why they cannot accept county contracts, even short-term ones."

Sussex chief executive Gus Mackay said: "We're doing what we can to get a replacement. We wanted Asif but it has fallen through and we are now pursuing other areas.

"There is a lot going on in the international calender but I hope we will have someone sorted out in the next 48 hours."

Sussex may pursue other options in Pakistan with former Kent paceman Mohammad Sami on the radar.