Royals snap up Razzaq

Hampshire have secured the services of Abdul Razzaq for this season's Friends Provident t20 tournament.

Pakistan star to join Afridi at Rose Bowl

Hampshire have secured the services of Abdul Razzaq for this season's Friends Provident t20 tournament. Razzaq will join fellow Pakistan international Shahid Afridi at the Rose Bowl, with Afridi having already committed himself to the Royals for the competition. Razzaq - who has previously played county cricket for Middlesex, Surrey and Worcestershire - also underlined his Twenty20 credentials as he blazed an unbeaten 46 from only 18 balls in Pakistan's recent victory over England in the United Arab Emirates last month. The 30-year-old expressed his delight at the opportunity to perform in England once again, stating: "I've always enjoyed my cricket in England. "It is a home away from home due to the massive following Pakistani players have there, and I will do my utmost to try and help Hampshire win the tournament." Hampshire chairman Rod Bransgrove and first XI manager Giles White both voiced their satisfaction at the latest signing, insisting it would significantly strengthen the team's chances of claiming Twenty20 glory. "Abdul Razzaq is one of the finest Twenty20 performers in the world," Bransgrove declared. "He will be a great asset to the side and adds even greater depth to an already impressive team. "We have assembled arguably our strongest ever Twenty20 squad with the clear objective of reaching the 2010 Friends Provident t20 finals day here at The Rose Bowl on August 14." White added: "Abdul is a proven match-winner and can turn a game with either bat or ball."