Pakistan’s spin bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed admitted it will be tough to find the right balance without ace spinner Saeed Ajmal suspended due to an illegal bowling action.

Pakistan will be without Ajmal at the Cricket World Cup starting on February 14 after the offspinner withdrew following his failure to completely alter his action.

Ahmed, a member of Pakistan’s World Cup winning team in 1992 – also held in Australia and New Zealand – said the team would find it tough without Ajmal.

“We were used to Ajmal,” Ahmed told media at the conclusion of the Pakistan team’s training camp.

“Ajmal has been our legend and has been our number one bowler, and it’s very difficult to make a combination without him.”

Ahmed said Pakistan won the 1992 World Cup without then frontline paceman Waqar Younis, who was ruled out two weeks before the event with a back problem.

“We will feel his absence but the new players have to play their role and if we play as a unit I am hopeful we can deliver,” he said.

Pakistan will also hope spinning all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez clears a bowling action test later this month after he too was suspended in November last year for illegal action.

They have little-known leg-spinner Yasir Shah in their 15-man squad, termed a surprise package by chief selector Moin Khan.

“The way Shah and Shahid Afridi have been bowling, I think they will make a difference for Pakistan as we do get bounce on the wickets of Australia and when a leg-spinner gets bounce, he becomes a wicket-taking option,” he said.

Pakistan will fly to New Zealand on January 21 where they play two one-day internationals before they start their World Cup campaign with a match against arch-rivals India in Adelaide on February 15.