Saqlain Mushtaq was so excited about making his Sussex debut that he could not sleep on the eve of Tuesday's Twenty20 Cup win over Essex.

Now the 31-year-old off-spinner is looking to give opposition batsmen a few nightmares of their own as he continues his remarkable comeback after career-threatening knee surgery.

The former Pakistan international makes an emotional return to the Oval, where he spent nine successful seasons, when Sussex try to book their place in the knockout stages of the Twenty20 Cup tonight.

He only received his British citizenship on Monday but skipper Chris Adams had no hesitation in handing him his debut 24 hours later.

His faith was rewarded as Saqlain bowled a tight four-over spell in tandem with Mushtaq Ahmed, when he conceded 30 runs but only two boundaries, and then held an crucial catch to remove Ravi Bopara when the Essex all-rounder looked to be guiding his side to victory.

Not bad for someone who hardly slept a wink on the eve of his debut.

He said: "I was desperate to play and I can't describe how excited I was when I was told it was going to happen.

"I couldn't sleep at all on Monday night. I've been waiting for three years for that opportunity to play first-class cricket again.

"I never gave up hope that I would during that time and thanks to everyone at Sussex, especially the coaching and fitness staff, it has happened."

Coach Mark Robinson admitted he had some reservations about pitching Saqlain straight into such an important game, but Adams was determined that he should play.

Robinson said: "I can't remember being as nervous for a long time as I was watching Saqlain bowl his first over.

"Chris was adamant that he should play. It was a brave decision and non-negotiable as far as he was concerned and I'm so pleased it paid off, both for him and Saqlain.

"His argument was that if lost to Essex we would have regretted not playing him. He bowled an important little spell and only conceded two boundaries and he helped Mushtaq control that part of their innings which is what the captain wanted.

"I had my reservations but he did well in the field and held a great catch under pressure."

Bowling in tandem with Mushtaq for the first time in six years clearly helped the settling-in process too.

Hove on a blustery July evening under lights is a world away from their last spell together in a Test match for Pakistan in Auckland in March 2001, but they applied a brake on Essex's run chase just when they were looking to accelerate towards victory.

Saqlain said: "It was great to bowl with Mushtaq again - it's been a long time, over six years ago.

"He really helped me a lot during the game and was encouraging me all the time. We played for Pakistan and before that in Islamabad and he kept reminding me of the good times when I bowled well and that was great for my confidence and self-belief."

Saqlain is likely to play in both remaining Twenty20 Cup group games and is expected to face a strong India side in the four-day tour match at Hove which starts on Saturday.

"He's only taken the first step on a long journey but he more than held his own," said Robinson.

"A month ago no one on our staff would have believed he could play in a Twenty20 game but he's done that thanks to the backroom staff, Saqlainhimself and the captain who had 100 per cent belief in him."

Allan Donald hopes his role as England bowling consultant will become permanent after hailing the "massive potential" among the current crop of pace bowlers.

The former South Africa paceman joined England for an initial five-week period encompassing the series against West Indies.

That spell has been extended until after the Twenty20 World Championships in September and also including England's Test and one-day matches with India later this summer.

But 40-year-old Donald hopes to secure a full-time appointment later this year.

He has already created a favourable impression with a new-look pace attack of Stuart Broad, Liam Plunkett and James Anderson.

Donald said: "Whatever happens after the Twenty20 World Championship will be. I would like it to be a full-time appointment but right now I'm privileged to be given a further opportunity to work with this England team.

"My passion is to work with bowlers at this level. To have an opportunity like this is second to none and I'm excited about it. This unit has massive potential."