Shahid Afridi to reinforce Pakistan team in Sharjah

Sharjah - Allrounder Shahid Afridi will join the Pakistan cricket team for the third Test against Australia starting in Sharjah from Saturday. He would be replacing Abdul Razzaq who has been ruled out for six weeks after fracturing his left wrist during the second Test.

Initially, Yousuf Youhana was expected to beef-up the team but was ruled out after he failed to recover completely from the shoulder injury he sustained during the triangular tournament in Tangiers in August.

Shahid, who has scored 780 runs in 14 Tests with two centuries and four half centuries besides taking 21 wickets, will arrive here Tuesday.

"Shahid has been included as reinforcement after Razzaq was ruled out. The team needed an experienced allrounder and considering the conditions in Sharjah, it was a sensible thing to ask for Shahid as it would give the team another spin option," Pakistan coach Richard Pybus said.

He added: "Shahid's inclusion will strengthen the team as he is an aggressive competitor."

On Yousuf Youhana, Pybus said: "We were informed that he has still not fully recovered from the shoulder injury. We didn't press for his inclusion because we want to make sure that he is fit for long term. And considering the long South African tour ahead, it would be appropriate to consider him for that tour so that he comes all cylinders firing."

SAMIUL HASAN
GM Media
October 14, 2002