Pak vs Aus: Abrar Ahmed ruled out of Perth Test, replacement named

Pakistan cricket team suffered a huge blow on Sunday as mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed was ruled out of the first Test against Australia which is scheduled to take place in Perth from December 14.

Abrar bowled a total of 27 overs during the four-day practice match against the PM XI where he also picked up a wicket. At the end of the third day, he complained about feeling some discomfort in his right leg for which the MRI was done.

“During an assessment by the medical team, a provisional diagnosis was made - justifying an MRI scan, which was done on the same day,” the PCB said in a brief press release.

“Abrar will undergo an intervention in Perth on Monday, after which conservative rehabilitation under the supervision of the team’s medical staff, will continue his road to recovery.”

The PCB also confirmed that the spinner hasn’t been out of the Test series as the cricketing board will decide his availability for the second Test after having a complete medical assessment.

“He has not been ruled out of the test series yet, but keeping the player’s wellbeing in mind for this and future tours, further assessment before the second test will ascertain his availability on this tour.”

Off-spinner Sajid Khan has been called up as Abrar’s replacement. The 30-year-old will travel to Australia as soon as his visa process is completed.

“Meanwhile, chairman of the selection committee Wahab Riaz on the request made by the team management has approved the name of off-spinner Sajid Khan. Sajid will travel to Perth once his travel arrangement is finalised,” the press release concluded.

It must be noted that this is Pakistan’s first Test tour to Australia since 2019 when they were battered 2-0 as the Green Shirts, under Azhar Ali’s captaincy, lost both games by an innings.

Pakistan have also never won a Test series in Australia in their entire history.

Australia tour schedule

1st Test – Australia vs Pakistan – December 14-18: Perth Stadium

2nd Test – Australia vs Pakistan – December 26-30: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)

3rd Test – Australia vs Pakistan – January 3-7: Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG)

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