Australia vs Pakistan: It has been a tour of worries from the word go for Pakistan. The men in green lose another key bowler ahead of the boxing day test at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Noman Ali is the latest addition to the injury list of Pakistani players. He is ruled out of for the rest of the test series due to acute appendicitis. Ali’s injury weakens the Pakistan bowling lineup as he was the only major spinner part of the test team.
The official statement from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) reported that Noman underwent a successful laparoscopic appendectomy. He is currently stable and recovering well, with an expected discharge soon.
Australia vs Pakistan: Khurram Shahzad, Noman Ali ruled out of Test Series
After losing the first test with no frontline spinners in playing eleven. Pakistan is expected to take on the Aussies with one fit frontline spinner Sajid Khan in the squad. Noman was included in the team as a backup spinner for Abrar Ahmed. Later, when he opted out due to injury, Sajid Khan flew in as a replacement. Although, his arrival in Perth came too late for him to take part in the first test.
The National Selection Committee has named Mohammad Nawaz as the replacement for the rest of Pakistan tour of Australia 2023 test series. Nawaz, who is part of the 17-member squad for New Zealand T20Is, will now travel to Australia to join the Test team.
After making an impressive debut in Perth. Khurram Shahzad joins the injury list as he is ruled out of the second test due to rib injury. Seamer picked the wicket of Australian star batter Steve Smith in both innings. And made his debut match memorable.
Pakistan is known for its pace bowling unit. But they are now struggling to find a partner for Shaheen Afridi to open the bowling attack in the MCG test. They are missing Naseem Shah in the lineup, who went through a shoulder injury during the Asia Cup and missed the World Cup 2023. Haris Rauf opted himself out of this tour. All these injuries led Shaheen Afridi to open the bowling attack.
Pakistan boasts a powerful trio of backup seamers in Hasan Ali, Mir Hamza, and Mohammad Wasim Jr. One of these three pacers are likely to play the second test at MCG. With the second Test looming in Melbourne, anticipation is high to see how this potent bowling unit confronts the formidable Aussie batting lineup.
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