'Don't underestimate our bowlers': Riaz

Pakistan's attack in the absence of banned pair Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir should not be underestimated.

KARACHI: Pakistan's attack in the absence of banned new-ball pair Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir should not be underestimated during the World Cup, pace bowler Wahab Riaz warned on Wednesday.

Both were impressive during the test series against Australia and England last year, taking the bulk of wickets, but have not been available for Pakistan since the corruption claims surfaced last August.

"Obviously we will miss Asif and Amir who were in top form. But even without them we have a potent attack," Riaz told Geo News channel in Bangladesh.

Riaz pointed out that Pakistani bowlers are well versed in the art of reverse swinging the old ball and this should hold them in good stead during the tournament.

The fast bowler has flourished since grabbing five wickets against England on his ODI debut last year and the left-arm bowler's tally stands 23 ODI wickets from 13 matches.

"In the hot and humid conditions and on the slow pitches in Sri Lanka, we will definitely try to fully  xploit this art to our advantage," he said.

“We are strong in both departments even without Asif and Amir, we still have a top bowling attack so other teams should watch out,"he added.

Pakistan are in Group A with Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe Canada and Kenya and will  lay all their preliminary matches in Sri Lanka from Feb 23.