Last year he was delayed for six weeks because new bureaucratic hoops he and other overseas cricketers had to jump through for visas overwhelmed the UK Border Agency.

This year, with his visa secured in good time, Kamran fell foul of the travel chaos following the no-fly ban caused by the volcanic ash crisis.

It meant he couldn't book a flight here in time, as passengers affected by the aftermath of the Icelandic volcano's eruption were being given priority.

And, with Clydesdale's overseas amateur Shyam Gattani also not yet arrived (but because he was sitting final college exams), the Titwood team that travelled to Greenock in the first competitive club game of the season looked a little lightweight.

But skipper Harmanjit Singh needn't have worried. His squad cruised to a splendid 43-run victory with overs to spare.

Batting stars were internationalists Qasim Sheikh, who completed a half century before being bowled, and all-rounder spin Majid Haq, who made 43.

When Greenock batted, up stepped veteran internationalist Greig Williamson, who destroyed the top order, taking four wickets to set up a convincing win.

This Saturday, Singh should have a full-strength team for their home game against Carlton. Meanwhile, his Sunday squad made light work of defeating Poloc — whose Saturday game was rained off — in the first round of the West League Cup.

Opener Zulfi Shahid made 60, and Omer Hussain 51, and only teenager Danny Chaudhry was able to impress for Poloc with another good batting display to follow his fine century earlier in the week for the Western Academy under-17s against Durham Academy.