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Pakistan will miss Naseem Shah on Australia tour, says Umar Gul

The right-arm pacer is currently under rehabilitation

By Web Desk

November 23, 2023

Pakistan's fast-bowling coach Umar Gul thinks the side will miss pacer Naseem Shah on their upcoming Test tour of Australia.

The 20-year-old Naseem Shah missed the ICC World Cup 2023 and is also not part of the squad for the series Down Under after undergoing surgery of his shoulder.

The right-arm pacer is currently under rehabilitation and as per chief selector Wahab Riaz, he will hopefully be able to bowl at 50-60% after three weeks.

"Naseem Shah's rehab is underway," Umar Gul said on the first day of pre-tour camp at Pindi Cricket Stadium.

"His absence will be felt in Australia," he added.

Meanwhile, the 41-year-old said the plans he hopes from the pacers in Australia.

"Bowling long spells in Test cricket is common. We have planned while keeping in mind regarding it," he added.

"We will train at four different pitches during the camp. Australia's conditions are challenging and hard work is required," Gul maintained.

On the other hand, Gul admitted Pakistan's performance in the World Cup was not close to the expectations.

Remember, Shan Masood will lead the Pakistan team during the series, which will begin with the first Test in Perth from December 14.

Pakistan squad

Shan Masood (c), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafiq, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Nauman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Afridi, Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed.

The squad assembled in Rawalpindi on November 22 for a training camp ahead of the tour. The camp will run till November 28.

The team will fly out on November 30 from Lahore.

Some additional players will also feature in the training camp. The players called for the camp are Arshad Iqbal, Kashif Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Usama Mir and Usman Qadir.

Shahnawaz Dahani is not fit enough to bowl and has been sent to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) for rehabilitation.

Ali Shafique, Mohammad Ali and Sameen Gul have been called up to the training camp.