The Rose Bowl this summer may be a dangerous place for spectators and hard hats may be the order of the day after the County signed Pakistan all rounder Abdul Razzaq for this summer's Friends Provident Twenty/20 Competition.

Razzaq who was part of a star studded Sialkot Stallions squad that were victorious in the RBS Twenty/20 Cup competition, will join up with fellow Pakistani all rounder Shahid Afridi who also signed for Hampshire recently. Both Pakistanis have been signed specifically for the Friends Provident Trophy and are sure to provide rich entertainment for the locals.

30 year old Razzaq has previous County experience with Middlesex, Worcestershire and Surrey and speaking to PakPassion.net he expressed his excitement at signing for Hampshire.

"I can't wait to put the Hampshire shirt on and do well for them. I'm really excited at being given this opportunity by such a high profile team and hopefully Shahid and myself can help Hampshire to the title".

Razzaq who has appeared for Pakistan on 294 occasions feels that he can add his experience to an already very powerful squad. "Hampshire have some very good players like Pietersen, Carberry, Kabir Ali and Mascarenhas and some very promising youngsters too. Hopefully I can add some experience to the squad and perform well for them".

The high profile Pakistani duo of Shahid Afridi and Abdul Razzaq will undoubtedly boost attendances at the Rose Bowl and local fans of Hampshire and Pakistani fans from all over the United Kingdom are sure for a treat as both hard hitters try to outgun each other. "I can't wait to join forces with Shahid and of course with him (Afridi) in the team, we'll have a bit of fun regarding trying to outdo each other with bat and ball and it's sure to help boost our performance. It's all good healthy competition and the most important thing is for the team to be successful".

Razzaq who has a strike rate of just under 150 in Twenty/20 internationals feels that with Shahid already at Hampshire, the decision to join the county was a simple one. "Shahid and I are good friends and it will be great to have him around this summer with me. I'm sure it will be ideal preparation for us both before we join up with the Pakistan squad for the series' against England and Australia".

Speaking to PakPassion.net Shahid Afridi and Abdual Razzaq's manager Umran Khan of Aces Middle East expressed his satisfaction at both players being signed up by Hampshire. "Hampshire are a very professional setup and it's going to be an exciting time at Hampshire this season during the Friends Provident Twenty/20 competition, with two of the brightest stars of Pakistan cricket joining forces at the same team. It's going to be a treat for the fans and I'm sure the pair will provide rich entertainment for the fans".

The Friends Provident Trophy 2010 commences on 1st June through to 14th August, with the finals day due to be held at the Rose Bowl.