Abdul Razzaq will miss the cricket World Cup after being ruled out for three weeks with a fractured knee.

The Pakistani all-rounder was hit on the knee by a ball during practice on Monday and doctors have advised him to take three weeks rest, followed by another two to three weeks of physiotherapy.

"It is a major blow for us because Razzaq is one of our main players," said Inzamam-ul-Haq, the Pakistan captain.

The 27-year-old Razzaq missed Pakistan's Test series in South Africa earlier this year due to an ankle problem and only returned to play in the one-day series.

"The reports say it's a suspected knee fracture and he'll be out of cricket for three weeks. Azhar Mahmood will take his place in the squad," Pervez Mir, the Pakistan cricket team media manager, said.

Pakistan is already doubtful about pace bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif for the World Cup, which starts from March 13 in the Caribbean.

Akhtar is battling with a knee and hamstring injury, while Asif has a recurrence of an elbow injury sustained last year.

Both Akhtar and Asif must also clear mandatory dope tests to feature in the World Cup. Pakistan fly out to the Caribbean on March 1.

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