New faces in Pakistan bowling attack leave Misbah happy despite Ajmal’s absence

Irfan and Riaz filled gap in attack with wickets during first one-day international against New Zealand

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq leaves the nets after batting at the Sharjah cricket stadium in Sharjah on December 11, 2014. Aamir Qureshi / AFP

SHARJAH // Misbah-ul-Haq says Pakistan are still feeling the absence of Saeed Ajmal, but he praised his fast bowlers for shouldering the burden in the latter's absence.

Pakistan have enjoyed mixed fortunes over the past two months without their leading bowler, who remains suspended because of a suspect bowling action.

Ajmal has been included in the 30-man preliminary squad ahead of the 2015 World Cup, but others have assumed wicket-taking responsibilities since he vacated the scene.

The hosts won the first one-day international against New Zealand in Dubai after the left-arm seamers Mohammed Irfan and Wahab Riaz took five wickets between them.

The pitch in Sharjah is unlikely to assist the pace bowlers when the sides meet in the second of five ODIs on Friday afternoon, but the Pakistan captain remains optimistic.

“It was a different scenario in the last five years. You were playing in the UAE and on these wickets, spinners were doing well and Saeed Ajmal was dominating,” Misbah said.

“Even now on these pitches, there is little support for the fast bowlers, but they are doing well. They bowled well in the last game and I hope that continues.”

The last time New Zealand played at the Sharjah ground, they secured one of the great wins in their history to halve the Test series.

However, Kane Williamson, the New Zealand batsman, said the good feelings engendered during that victory have been diluted, given the change of personnel between the long format and the limited-overs series.

“The team is quite different,” said Williamson, who will bowl today for the first time since having his remodelled action cleared.

“Although it was a great victory, the personnel is very different. There are some good memories for some of us, but it is important we focus on what lies in front of us.”

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