Abdul Razzaq is to replace the injured pace bowler Yasir Arafat in Pakistan's squad at the World Twenty20, following approval by the International Cricket Council.

The ICC tonight confirmed its event technical committee has agreed the all-rounder can replace Arafat, who has a hamstring injury.

Razzaq recently terminated his contract with the Indian Cricket League, and subsequently received a sanction from the Pakistan Cricket Board for his involvement in unofficial cricket.

Pakistan, who play their first match of the Super Eights stage against Sri Lanka at Lord's on Friday, asked the World Twenty20 organisers to allow them to send Razzaq to England. The all-rounder, who has appeared in 46 Tests and 231 one-day internationals, last played for Pakistan in 2007.

The PCB had banned players who joined the ICL from playing international cricket but allowed Razzaq and the batsman Mohammad Yousuf back into the fold last month, after they resigned from the unauthorised league.