Pakistan's Mohammad Hafeez ruled out of World Cup due to ankle injury

Mohammad Hafeez adds to Pakistan’s injury woes

Pakistan top order batsman Mohammad Hafeez has been ruled out of the upcoming World Cup due to an ankle injury. With only 6 more days to go for the showpiece event, this is a second such injury blow to Pakistan, who had to let go off pacer Junaid Khan earlier in the week after the 25-year-old failed to recover from a thigh injury sustained during a practice session in Lahore.

Hafeez, who has played 155 ODIs for Pakistan so far, was recently banned by the ICC from bowling due to suspect bowling action. Despite the setback, Hafeez has continued to be a regular in the side owing to his position as an opener. The right-hander has scored 4542 runs in his ODI career at an average of 31.10 and a strike-rate of 73.35. He has 9 hundreds and 23 half-centuries to his name.

Nasir Jamshed the likely replacement

The 34-year-old is expected to be replaced by left-handed opening batsman Nasir Jamshed, who has represented his country in 45 ODIs scoring 1413 runs at an average of 33.64. The problems for captain Misbah-ul-Haq continue to mount, with the team not in the greatest of form.

Before the World Cup squad was announced, off-spinner Saeed Ajmal had to withdraw from being considered for selection – as he wasn’t confident of clearing the ICC suspect action test. However, he passed the test on Friday and has been declared fit to bowl in international cricket.

Umar Gul is yet another important name missing from the list, owing to injury.