Ex-skipper Rashid Latif says Pak have 'done well' in WC despite absence of key players

Former Pakistan skipper Rashid Latif has lauded Misbah-ul-Haq's men after the team was eliminated from the World Cup following a six-wicket defeat to Australia, saying that the team has done well in the tournament despite the absence of key players.

Pakistan entered the World Cup with Saeed Ajmal being suspended over an illegal bowling action and injury setbacks to Junaid Khan and Muhammad Hafeez.

Pakistan's injury woes compounded when pace bowler Mohammad Irfan was ruled out of the tournament after suffering a stress fracture in the pelvis, ahead of the quarterfinal clash against Australia on Friday.

Rashid Latif said that Pakistan have done really well in the World Cup as the team was without its main players and yet qualified for the quarterfinals, the Express Tribune reported.

The former skipper further said that Ajmal, Hafeez, Junaid and Irfan have been the mainstays of Pakistani bowling in the last three years and none of them were involved against Australia.

Latif added that Ajmal, Hafeez and Junaid took no part in the World Cup, which is why he feels Pakistan have done well by just progressing into the knockout stage after losing two early matches (against India and West Indies).