Coach Bob Woolmer today made itclear that injured fast bowlers like Shoaib
Akhtar and Mohammad Asif would have to prove their fitness to retaintheir
places in Pakistan`s World Cup cricket squad.
Woolmer not to take risk with injured players Karachi, Feb
22: Coach Bob Woolmer today made itclear that injured fast bowlers like Shoaib
Akhtar and Mohammad Asif would have to prove their fitness to retaintheir
places in Pakistan`s World Cup cricket squad.
Woolmer said the team has been badly hit by injuryworries ahead
of next month`s mega event in the West Indiesbut those writing off Pakistan
were making a "big mistake".
The World Cup campaign of Pakistan, who lost the Test and one
day series in South Africa recently, has been thrown intojeopardy with fast
bowlers Akhtar, Asif and Umar Gul stillfacing fitness problems.
"It is like we have burnt our boats and we have to justplay
to our best ability with the available team," saidWoolmer, who took charge
of World Cup preparations afterreturning from South Africa.
Woolmer said he would meet Pakistan board officials anddoctors
to find out the fitness positions of the fast bowlersbut would not like to take
risk with any injured player.
"Obviously, we would like to have our first stringbowling
attack. We have a conditioning camp and time beforethe World Cup to get our
bowlers in top shape," he added.
The coach said those writing off his team in thetournament were making a big
mistake.
"I don`t think we have performed that badly in SouthAfrica.
We had our chances despite a depleted bowling attackbut we couldn`t capitalise
on them. It will be a mistake towrite us off," he said.
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