Star Pakistan player ruled out of first Test against Australia
After the World Cup 2023 debacle, the Pakistan team are now set to face Australia for a three-Test match series starting from December 14. But in the lead-up to the series opener, Pakistan’s premier leg-spinner, Abrar Ahmed, is set to miss the first Test against Australia due to a knee injury sustained during the practice match against Prime Minister’s XI. The PCB medical team conducted scans, leading to his exclusion from the Perth Test.
The young off-spinner Sajid Khan has been brought in as a replacement, while Noman Ali may spearhead the spin department in Abrar’s absence. The setback raises concerns for Pakistan’s bowling unit, highlighting the challenges they face in the upcoming Test series against Australia. In Pakistan’s expected playing XI, the opening pair will feature Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique, followed by Shan Masood and Babar Azam at numbers three and four.
Saud Shakeel is slated to bat at the fifth position, and the wicketkeeping responsibilities may fall on former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed instead of Mohammad Rizwan. The solitary seam-bowling all-rounder role will be fulfilled by Faheem Ashraf, while Mohammad Wasim Jr, Shaheen Afridi, and Hasan Ali are set to lead Pakistan’s frontline pace attack.
Team doctor absence due to visa delay impacts Pakistan
The Pakistan men’s cricket team in Australia and the under-19 team in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) currently lack doctors and managers. The official team doctor, Sohail Saleem, has not yet joined the squad, facing delays due to visa and passport issues. Additionally, Shoaib Muhammad, former Pakistan Test batter and manager of the junior team, is unable to travel with the under-19 squad to the UAE, where they are participating in the Asia Cup.
“The Pakistan Cricket Board is still trying to get a visa for Dr Saleem and as soon as it comes he will join the side in Australia in time for the first Test in Perth. Shoaib had some expired passport issues which the board is sorting out and hopefully, he will also soon reach UAE to take charge,” a source in the PCB said as quoted by The Economic Times.
