PAKISTAN all-rounder Abdul Razzaq will play Twenty20 cricket for Hampshire alongside international team mate Shahid Afridi.

He will join the club’s newly named Hampshire Royals side for the 2010 Friends Provident t20 competition which starts on 1 June.

The move is a big boost for the club who now boast two champion World Twenty20 stars in Razzaq and Afridi for the new look tournament.

Both cricketers were instrumental in Pakistan’s final win over Sri Lanka last year to clinch the Twenty20 World Cup.

Razzaq will be well suited to conditions in England having had stints at Surrey, Worcestershire and Middlesex.

“I am looking forward to playing for Hampshire in the Friends Provident t20,” Razzaq said.

“I've always enjoyed my cricket in England as 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.”

 “We are really pleased that Abdul has joined Hampshire for the Friends Provident t20 campaign. He is a proven match winner and can turn a game with either bat or ball. We are looking forward to his arrival,” Hampshire’s First XI Manager Giles White said.

Hampshire Chairman Rod Bransgrove, added: “Abdul Razzaq is one of the finest Twenty20 performers in the world.  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 14th August.”