HE’S one of the world’s great cricket stars.

But sadly for Paddock, Younus Khan is not going to stay around to help them in their bid to capture the Drakes League Cedar Court Conference title.

The Pakistan test star was in Huddersfield to chat with excited local youngsters about cricket and his glittering career.

His brief stop at Paddock Cricket Club was part of a whistle-stop tour of Yorkshire to promote this month’s Pakistan v Australia Test match at Headingley, the home of Yorkshire cricket club.

The game is being billed as a “home” game for Pakistan, due to the many thousands from the country who have made their home in Yorkshire.

And the crowd will include more than 50 Huddersfield schoolchildren, who are being bussed there for one of the day’s play, courtesy of the town’s Kabana restaurant.

Former Pakistan captain Khan, 32, who currently plays for Surrey, has played for Yorkshire in the past and said: “I’m delighted to be back here, albeit briefly. I had a very happy year in Yorkshire and made some great friends.

“I am delighted to help the club promote the Pakistan v Australia Test and I urge everyone to get along and support the venture.

“I’m also backing the Yorkshire Cricket Mela, which runs from July 10 to July 20, and will celebrate not only the sport but the diversity, culture and community of the region.”

Younus, who has made 63 Test appearances for Pakistan and scored a staggering 5,230 runs, has faced some of the world’s top bowlers.

Yesterday he was put through his paces by a selection of youngsters from Paddock Junior School and from Royds Hall High School.

The star also had a go at bowling – but Hugh Golbourne, community engagement officer at Paddock, said: “It was a bit ropey – and I told him so.”

Golbourne has been instrumental in getting many more Huddersfield youngsters interested in cricket.

He helped organise a series of car park cricket games, played in supermarket car parks, which brought a whole new audience to the sport.

He said: “We were delighted that Younus was able to come along to Paddock and it was a big thrill for the kids and indeed for all of us.

“Events like this and the Pakistan Test coming to Yorkshire can only be good for the sport and the diverse community.”