October 15 Tuesday 2002
Pakistan's Afridi to play in third and final test

SHARJAH: Pakistan is flying in all-rounder Shahid Afridi for its third and final test against Australia, according to a press statement released Monday. 

Afridi will replace Abdur Razzaq, who fractured his left wrist during Pakistan's humiliating second test defeat on Saturday. 

Australia clinched the second test here by an innings and 198 runs to take an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the series. The Aussies bowled out Pakistan for just 59 and 53 runs in two innings _ its lowest totals in test matches. 

The total of 112 runs in both innings is the fourth lowest total ever registered in test history. Two top Pakistan cricket officials resigned Sunday after Pakistan suffered the humiliating defeat at the hand of the world champion Australia.

The team earlier said that seasoned batsman Yousuf Youhana was to be brought in to replace Razzaq, who had retired with an injury after being hit by a brutish Brett Lee delivery. 

But a Pakistan Cricket Board statement issued said the idea has been dropped after Youhana failed to recover fully from the shoulder injury he sustained during the triangular tournament in Tangiers last August. 

"We were informed that he has still not fully recovered from the shoulder injury,'' Pakistan coach Richard Pybus said in a press statement. 

"We didn't press for his inclusion because we want to make sure that he is fit for the long term,'' said Pybus, adding that he would like Youhana to be fit for up coming South African tour. 

Afridi, better known as a one-day specialist, is expected to beef-up the Pakistani batting lineup, which has so far proved vulnerable against Australia. He is expected to arrive in Sharjah on Tuesday. 

"Shahid has been included as a reinforcement after Razzaq was ruled out,'' Pybus said. 

"The team needed an experienced all-rounder and considering the conditions in Sharjah, it was a sensible thing to ask for Shahid as it would give the team another spin option."

Shahid's inclusion will strengthen the team as he is an aggressive competitor,'' Pybus said of the 22-year-old player, who has played 14 tests and scored 780 runs, including two centuries and four half centuries. 

Afridi, who has made his test debut against Australia in the 1998-99 series, has also taken 21 wickets with his leg-spins. Afridi played his last test in Lahore, Pakistan, against New Zealand earlier this year. 

He has also played for Leicestershire County in England last season.