Pakistan opener Mohammad Hafeez was on Sunday ruled out of the World Cup after suffering a calf injury, in yet another blow to the team before the mega-event.

The 34-year-old suffered the injury during the second one-day international against New Zealand in Napier last week and has been advised to take three weeks' rest.

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“Pakistan team has suffered another major blow ahead of the world cup as Hafeez is ruled out of the tournament now with a calf injury,” PCB spokesman confirmed while speaking to Sport360.

“The touring selection committee has requested ICC to accept Nasir Jamshed as his replacement. It isn’t the kind of start any Pakistani would have hoped for because we’re losing key players which has given nightmare to the think tank.”

The latest injury is the fourth major blow for Pakistan before the 14-team World Cup which starts in Australia and New Zealand on February 14.

Nasir, the 25-year-old left-handed opener, has played 45 ODIs for Pakistan in which he has scored 1,413 runs with three centuries and eight half-centuries. His last ODI was against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi in December 2014. 

Paceman Umar Gul was not selected because of a knee injury in January, while another fast bowler Junaid Khan had to be withdrawn from the 15-man squad after he failed to recover from a leg injury.

Spinner Saeed Ajmal withdrew from the squad after he failed to correct his bowling action which was deemed illegal last September, although the International Cricket Council said Saturday he had been cleared after retesting.

Pakistan play their first match against India in Adelaide on February 15.