YORKSHIRE chief executive Stewart Regan has dampened fears Ajmal Shahzad’s England call-up will affect his county commitments.

The club’s latest international star has been selected for the forthcoming tour of Bangladesh after a superb County Championship season in 2009 yielded 40 wickets and 445 runs.

Shahzad, the 24-year-old pace bowler, has the ability to perform at the top level in the coming years, and has taken advantage of England’s decision to take no risks with injured spearhead Jimmy Anderson.

Regan said: “First and foremost we are delighted for Ajmal Shahzad in getting England recognition. We know that he had a very good season for us last year. We fought hard in the winter to keep him despite interest from clubs across the country.

“He was rewarded with the call-up for the tour to Bangladesh.

“But I think, to be fair, he knows and we know that he’s been called up to replace bowlers who have been rested.

“Therefore, unless he has a fantastic and outstanding tour of Bangladesh, he is likely to be replaced for the Pakistan series by the likes of Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad.

“Yorkshire will probably see Ajmal Shahzad for most of the domestic season.”

However, there is every chance that the ECB will continue with their policy of rest and rotation during the early part of the English summer when Bangladesh tour these shores.

It may be the perfect opportunity for Anderson to test out his knee ahead of the tougher Pakistan series, and Broad, who will travel next month, could be rested. That could open the door for Shahzad again.

Yorkshire have had eleven players on England duty over the winter, from under-19s to the ECB Performance Programme camps to the full England squad.

And, even if that means Yorkshire suffer through unavailability, Regan is confident the county can cope.

He added: “If our players perform and get called up to represent their country that provides opportunities closer to home for some of our younger players.

“We’ve got the likes of young James Lee and Oliver Hannon Dalby who will be watching with interest how Ajmal does because there could be places in the squad in the future.”