Friday’s report said Pakistan’s Muhammed Rizwan will replace Sarfaraz Ahmed as wicketkeeper for the second Test against Australia, among other key alterations. The five-day Boxing Day Test begins on Tuesday, December 26, in Melbourne, a pacer’s dream. After the injury to Khurram Shahzad, reports indicated Hasan Ali and Mir Hamza will fight for a spot in the Pakistan playing XI in the next encounter. According to sources, Wasim Jr. would not make the Melbourne game team.
Boxing Day Test: Rizwan’most probable’ to replace Sarfaraz
They said that Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique will open the innings. The sources suggested Faheem Ashraf could be dropped for Sajid Khan, an off-break bowler.According to medical reports, Khurram Shahzad may miss the entire cricket season after suffering an abdominal muscle rupture and a stress fracture in his left 10th rib in the Perth Test, The News reported Friday.
The magazine says he will be lucky to make the June 2024 T20 World Cup. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) declared Shahzad would miss the Test series against Australia. Shahzad was summoned for an MRI after the first Test because he felt uneasy on his left side. The PCB will choose a player management protocol after consulting an Australian specialist. His injury management and rehabilitation will continue at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore.
Pakistan’s management is struggling with back-to-back injuries. Abrar Ahmed’s leg injury kept him out of the opening Test against Australia. Naseem Shah is injured and Haris Rauf has left the series to participate in Australia’s T20 Big Bash League, depleting Captain Shan Masood’s attack.
Pakistan suffered another setback before the second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground with Shahzad’s injury. Shahzad made his international Test debut against Australia in Perth on December 14-17. The 24-year-old claimed five wickets on debut in the 360-run loss against Australia.
