IANS

London, Jun 11: Pakistani all-rounder Abdul Razzaq has been allowed to play in the ongoing World Twenty20 tournament, a media report said Thursday.

The 29-year-old all-rounder will replace injured Yasir Arafat in Pakistan's World Twenty20 squad, Geo TV said.

"The technical committee of the ICC World Twenty20 2009 has approved Abdul Razzaq as a replacement player for Yasir Arafat in Pakistan's squad for the tournament," the report said quoting the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Fast bowler Arafat suffered a hamstring injury during Pakistan's 48-run defeat against England in their opening match last Sunday.

Razzaq, who played 46 Tests and 231 one-day internationals for Pakistan, joined the unofficial Indian Cricket League (ICL) as a protest against his omission from the squad selected for the inaugural World Twenty20 in South Africa in 2007.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had barred all the 23 players who signed for the League from domestic and international cricket as the ICL was not recognised by the ICC and Board of Control for Cricket in India.

Razzaq cut ties with the ICL earlier this month and was cleared by the PCB to play for the national team.

Razzaq said he was delighted at the prospect of playing for Pakistan again.

"I am very happy and if given a chance I will do my very best for the country," he said.

Pakistan's next Twenty20 match is against Sri Lanka at Lord's Friday.