Shami to miss UAE encounter

Perth, Feb 27 (IANS) India's pace spearhead Mohammed Shami was Friday ruled out of the cricket World Cup Pool B encounter against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the WACA here Saturday.

"Mohammed Shami got a mild left-knee problem and had ultrasound-guided injection yesterday. For his long-term management perspective, he won't be available for tomorrow's match against UAE," India’s media manger R.N. Baba said.

The likely replacement for Shami will be either medium pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar or all-rounder Stuart Binny. Left-arm spinner Axar Patel might get a chance too.

Shami has come good for India at the quadrennial event. He has picked up six wickets, with a four-wicket haul against Pakistan, at an impressive average of 10.83 and economy rate of 3.82.