Pakistan pacer Mohammad Irfan out of World Cup with pelvic stress fracture

Mohammad Irfan of Pakistan celebrates his wicket of Dale Steyn of South Africa during the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup match between South Africa and Pakistan at Eden Park on March 7, 2015 in Auckland, New Zealand.

Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Irfan has been ruled out of the ongoing Cricket World Cup after being diagnosed with a pelvic stress fracture. The 32-year-old missed the side’s last group stage match against Ireland, at Adelaide, which they won convincingly to book a quarter-final clash against Australia at Adelaide on March 20.

Irfan has been instrumental in Pakistan’s revival after a disastrous start to their World Cup campaign, where they lost their first two matches against India and West Indies. The left-arm seamer has picked up 7 wickets in the 3 matches since then, which includes a Man-of-the-Match performance against Zimbabwe in their third group stage match, at Brisbane.

While he left the field midway during the match against the UAE due to injury concerns, he picked up 3 wickets in the side’s historic victory over South Africa at Eden Park. Right-arm seamer Ehsan Adil replaced him in the match against Ireland.

The Pakistan team management could consider bringing in leg-spinner Yasir Shah for the match against Australia though, as Adil was only steady at best against the Irish side and the Aussies aren’t known to play spin well.

Pakistan have confirmed that they will only ask for a replacement if they qualify for the semi-finals, which if they do, they will be facing the winner of India-Bangladesh quarter-final encounter.

JUST IN: #PAK suffer another injury blow. Mohammad Irfan ruled out of #CWC15 with a stress fracture in the pelvis.

— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) March 17, 2015