NEW DELHI: The Indian pacers failed to make an impression against England in the recent four-Test series and former Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram says the future of Indian bowling looks “bleak” and it’s time that new faces get a chance in the team.

Apart from spinners Pragyan Ojha (20 wickets) and Ravichandran Ashwin (12), no Indian fast bowler could capture more than five wickets in the series which India lost 1-2.

“To be very honest, the future of Indian bowling looks bleak,” said Wasim in an interview.

“Zaheer Khan looked average in the three Tests and then got dropped. Ishant Sharma was okay in patches but after five years at the international level you have to be more consistent. I am afraid he is going the Mohammad Sami way — a wasted talent. Umesh Yadav seems to be injury prone and the selectors don’t pick Varun Aaron,” he said.

The former all-rounder said time has come that the Indian selectors pick youngsters, who have potential to be successful at international level.

“It’s time that India look for new faces or tell the present bunch to shape up or ship out. I will suggest a certain Shami Ahmed to get a look in. I believe bowlers like him are the forward for Team India,” Wasim said. —Agencies