Sajid Khan could replace Abrar Ahmed in Pakistan squad for Australia Tests

KARACHI: Pakistan could include off-spinner Sajid Khan in their squad for the Test series against Australia in place of leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed.

Abrar is likely to miss the first Test, which starts in Perth on December 14, after complaining of discomfort in his right leg.

The team management and selectors have agreed to include Sajid in the squad bearing in mind the number of left-handers in Australian squad, according to sources.

Sajid is unlikely to be able to travel to Australia before the Perth Test due to the time taken to complete the visa process. However, if Abrar is ruled out of the entire series, Sajid will travel to Australia.

The Pakistan team management is eagerly awaiting the MRI report on Abrar's injury. The discomfort in his foot surfaced on the third day of the four-day match against Prime Minister's XI in Canberra.

A decision on the replacement will be contingent upon the findings of the MRI report.

Abrar bowled a total of 27 overs in the game against Prime Minister's XI. The four-day game was scheduled as part of Pakistan’s preparation ahead of their three-match Test series against Australia.

Series schedule

First Test: December 14-18, Perth

Second Test: December 26-30, Melbourne

Third Test: January 3-7, Sydney

Squads

Australia: (first Test only): Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Lance Morris, Steve Smith, Mitch Starc, David Warner

Pakistan: Shan Masood (c), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel and Shaheen Shah Afridi