Pakistan captain Inzamam ul Haq has said the team in the World Cup was
severly missing allrounders Shahid Afridi and Abdul Razzaq, who
were experienced to release pressure on the top order batsmen in one day matches.
Inzamam said the absence of Razzaq and Afridi had put pressure on him, Mohammad
Yousuf and Younis Khan in the middle order.
"We are missing them in this tournament," Inzamam told reporters
in Kingston, Jamaica where Pakistan lost to West Indies by 54 runs in
the World Cup opener.
Razzaq was ruled out of the World Cup a week before the team's departure after
he injured his knee during a practice session in Lahore while Afridi is serving
a four-match ban which will end with Pakistan's match against Ireland tomorrow.
Inzamam said he was contemplating shuffling the batting order for the game
against Ireland and wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal might be promoted to open
the innings while he himself might bat at number four position.
Inzamam conceded that his team had played badly against the hosts and the batting
was a big let down.
"But I can assure you we will now pick ourselves up for the remaining
two games of this first round and look to qualify for the Super Eight league
stage." The captain, who is already feeling the pressure of the huge expectations
of a nation passionate about their cricket, also said fast bowler Mohammad
Sami might come in for the out of form Rana Naved.
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