Hafeez feels Irfan's absence

Islamabad - Captain Mohammad Hafeez says Pakistan will miss tall fast bowler Mohammad Irfan in the World Twenty20 after the 2.16-metre paceman could not recover from a hip injury.

Irfan was injured during the limited-overs series against South Africa in October, and will also miss the Asia Cup, followed by the World Twenty20 in Bangladesh next month.

Hafeez says Irfan's impact will be missed because "his first two overs could be lethal."

In the absence of Irfan, Hafeez feels other bowlers like fit-again Umar Gul and left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar could make an impact.

Hafeez also backed the selectors' decision to recall wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal and Shoaib Malik for the World Twenty20, as he pointed out youngsters hadn't performed in the recent past.