Abdul Razzaq Cleared for Pakistan World T20 Call-up

London: All-rounder Abdul Razzaq was on Wednesday given the all-clear to replace injured Yasir Arafat in Pakistan's World Twenty20 squad, the International Cricket Council confirmed.

The 29-year-old Razzaq cut his ties with the rebel Indian Cricket League earlier this month and was cleared by the Pakistan Cricket Board to play for the national team.

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

Razzaq, who played 46 Tests and 231 One-Day Internationals for Pakistan, joined the unofficial ICL as a protest against his omission from the squad selected for the inaugural World Twenty20 in South Africa in 2007.

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

However, all but two of Pakistan's ICL players had their bans suspended by the Sindh High Court in February this year.

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.

The ICC said in statement that confirmation was conveyed to the PCB on behalf of the event technical committee.

"The ICC has confirmed the event 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," said the statement.

Pakistan's next match of the tournament is on Friday against Sri Lanka at Lord's.