Pakistan seamer Khurram Shahzad has been ruled out of the remainder of the Test series against Australia in another frustrating blow for the tourists.
On Thursday afternoon, the Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed that Shahzad had sustained a stress fracture in his ribs along with a torn abdominal muscle. The 24-year-old, who made his Test debut in Perth last week, was sent for scans after complaining of discomfort in his left side during the series opener, which Pakistan lost by 360 runs.
Shahzad, who dismissed Steve Smith in both innings of the Perth Test, will now consult a specialist in Australia before returning home for further rehabilitation. The right-armer also knocked over David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne during an impressive debut performance, finishing with match figures of 5-128.
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Pakistan is already without star bowler Naseem Shah, currently recovering from a shoulder injury, and fellow quick Haris Rauf, who withdrew from the Test series to play the Big Bash League. Meanwhile, leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed remains in doubt for the remainder of the series after missing the first Test with discomfort in his right leg.
Shahzad’s injury opens the door for Mohammad Wasim Jnr and Hasan Ali to join the starting XI for next week’s Boxing Day Test at the MCG, but Pakistan may be tempted to select strike spinner Sajid Khan for the marquee fixture.
Pakistan, trailing 1-0 in the three-match series, is hunting for its first Test victory on Australian soil since 1995. The hosts will retain the Benaud-Qadir Trophy if they win or draw either of the remaining two Tests in Melbourne or Sydney.
