Technical Committee confirms Mahmood can replace Razzaq in Pakistan squad for ICC Cricket World Cup

The Technical Committee of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 has approved Azhar Mahmood as a replacement player for Abdul Razzaq in Pakistan's squad for the tournament.

The confirmation was conveyed to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in an email from David Richardson, the ICC General Manager - Cricket and the Chairman of the tournament Technical Committee, on Thursday.

Mahmood replaces his fellow all-rounder after the latter was reportedly advised to take at least three weeks rest after injuring his knee during a training session in Lahore earlier this week.

Mahmood is the second replacement player to be called up for the tournament. Australia's Stuart Clark, who replaced Brett Lee, was the first man to be drafted in by any of the 16 teams taking part following the announcements of the final squads of 15 players.

At the time of this release, the ICC had not yet received a request from the PCB for the replacement of injured duo of Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif, who were reportedly ruled out of the tournament on Thursday.

The process required is the same as that followed by the PCB in the case of Razzaq. It needs to apply in writing to the tournament Technical Committee for permission to replace the players and those applications require a doctor's certificate substantiating any injury and certifying that the players will not be fit for the event.

The Technical Committee of the ICC Cricket World Cup consists of David Richardson (Chairman, ICC representative), Campbell Jamieson (IDI representative), former international captains Michael Atherton and Rameez Raja (both independent nominations), Chris Dehring (Managing Director and CEO of the ICC CWC 2007) and Michael Hall (ICC CWC 2007 Cricket Operations Director).