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(Sports) Pakistan cricket team captain may miss world cup due to injury

Xinhua, January 22, 2015 Adjust font size:

Pakistan's national cricket team captain Misbah-ul-Haq is unlikely to play the next month's ICC World Cup 2015 due to his hamstring injury that he sustained last month, official said on Wednesday.

An official from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), seeking anonymity, revealed that Misbah's presence in the upcoming matches against New Zealand and in the 2015 World Cup is doubtful due to the injury.

The revelation came a day after Pakistan's 15-man team led by Misbah departed on Tuesday to feature in the upcoming ICC world cup 2015 to be held in Australia and New Zealand next month.

"No doubt, Misbah is the part of team, but his inclusion is under condition that he will be completely fit before Feb. 7 (the last day for any replacement in the team)," the official said.

The PCB official said Misbah, who has been considered as the fit player in the team, is under a great pressure and risk because he has not played even a single match since he sustained injury in a match against New Zealand in United Arab Emirates in last December.

"The reason behind not playing any match by Misbah is that he is not fully fit, despite his hard work and treatment he couldn't recover completely," he said.

The official said if Misbah does not get complete fitness, the tour selection committee will decide about the replacement for Misbah and most likely all-rounder Shahid Afridi will be appointed as the captain for the mega event.

However, the official hoped and wished that Misbah recovers soon from his injury because his absence will be a big blow to the team.

Pakistan team is already featuring in the world cup without its main spin bowler Saeed Ajmal, who was suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for illegal bowling action. Endi