Abdul Razzaq gets ICC clearance

LONDON ( 2009-06-11 11:26:21 ) :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, which runs until 21 June at three venues – Lord’s, The Oval and Trent Bridge.The confirmation was conveyed to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on behalf of the event technical committee today (Wednesday).Razzaq takes over from Arafat after the latter was diagnosed with a hamstring injury. Having reviewed the medical reports, the technical committee agreed to his replacement in the squad.Razzaq has been deemed eligible to take part in the tournament having terminated his contract with the Indian Cricket League and received a sanction from the PCB for his involvement in unofficial cricket.The nature of that sanction is determined by each ICC Member Board subject to the laws within their own territories.The requirement for each Member to impose some form of sanction is in accordance with an ICC Board resolution agreed at its most recent meeting in Dubai in April. The rationale for the resolution was to protect the fabric of the game and to discourage players from switching at will from official to unofficial cricket and back again.ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat confirmed: 'The PCB has advised the ICC it has imposed a sanction on Abdul Razzaq in accordance with the ICC Board resolution.'The event technical committee of the ICC World Twenty20 2009 consists of David Richardson (ICC General Manager – Cricket and technical committee chairman), Steve Elworthy (tournament director), Campbell Jamieson (representative of IDI, the ICC’s commercial arm which runs major ICC events), Alan Fordham (ECB representative), Ian Bishop (independent nomination) and David Lloyd (independent nomination).Pakistan’s next match of the tournament is on Friday against Sri Lanka at Lord’s beginning at 1330 (local time).