Junaid, Shinwari will be missed during New Zealand tour: Sarfraz

LAHORE: Pakistan cricket captain Sarfraz Ahmed on Tuesday said that the team will miss the presence of fast bowlers Junaid Khan and Usman Khan Shinwari during the upcoming New Zealand tour.

Khan and Shinwari have been ruled out of the series against Kiwis due to injuries.

Speaking to the press at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Sarfraz said that although they faced some difficulties due to injuries, the team combination is good because of a strong bowling lineup.

“Our players will perform well in the series,” he said. “I am hopeful that the batting lineup will perform well too. The ban on Hafeez’s bowling is a big setback for us, we will give his role to Shoaib Malik.”

Sarfraz said that he is hopeful the batting lineup will not be shuffled during the series, and the team will decide whether to go with four or five bowlers based on the conditions.

The skipper said that opener Imam-ul-Haq has proved his selection right, adding that his target is to play good cricket and win the series.