CRICKET

Karachi: Former Pakistan captain Younus Khan, who led Pakistan to a memorable title triumph in the ICC World Twenty20 in England last year, believes the absence of injured pace spearhead Umar Gul can affect the team in West Indies next month.

The third edition of ICC World Twenty20 begins in the Carribean April 30.

'It's a huge setback for us that Gul has been ruled out as he has proved to be very successful for us in T20. He was one of the key players in helping Pakistan reach the last two ICC World Twenty20 finals,' Younus told Pakpassion.net Monday.

However, Younis said Pakistan still has plenty of weapons in its arsenal. 'I still feel we can work our way through. We have good bowlers like Amer, Asif, Ajmal and Afridi. We are still capable of reaching the semis and after that you just need a bit of luck,' he said.

Younus said fast bowler Mohammad Sami and left-arm spinner Abdul Rehman, who were included in Pakistan's squad at the last minute, have the capability to do well in the West Indies.

'Sami and Rehman are good choices as both of them have done well in domestic matches,' he said but added 'although Sami has received many opportunities in the past without being successful, he did well in Australia and has also been giving a good showing in domestic cricket.'

Younus was also all praise for rookie fast bowler Mohammad Irfan who narrowly missed making his international debut in the ICC World Twenty20.

'I have batted against Mohammad Irfan and he is a good bowler.'

Irfan was initially selected as replacement for the injured Arafat before a backflip from the PCB robbed him of his spot on the plane to the West Indies.