Hand injury forces Razzaq out of Australia tour

Pakistan allrounder Abdul Razzaq has injured his hand and will be unavailable for the limited-overs leg of the tour of Australia. "I've sustained a fracture while batting" Razzaq told Pakpassion.net. "It was one of those out-of-the-blue injuries, where I was batting and the ball smashed into my hand. The hand has been plastered and I've been advised rest for one month by the medical staff. It's very unfortunate, as I was really looking forward to playing in Australia for Pakistan if selected."

Pakistan have already surrendered the Test series, with the third and final Test in Hobart still to be played, and they were hoping to make amends in the five one-dayers and lone Twenty20 international that follow.

Having played a key role in Pakistan's 2009 World Twenty20 triumph on his return from the unofficial ICL, Razzaq's all-round ability, especially his big hitting lower down the order will, no doubt, be missed by the visitors.

The 30-year-old last featured for Pakistan against New Zealand in November last year. Pakistan lost the three-match ODI series in Abu Dhabi 2-1, but swept the Twenty20 internationals in Dubai 2-0.