PAK vs AUS: Major Injury Blow For Pakistan, Star Bowler Taken Off the Field During Practice Match

Add as a preferred source on Google

PAK vs AUS: Pakistan faced a major injury scare on Day 3 of their ongoing 4-day practice match against Prime Ministers XI at Manuka Oval in Canberra.

Leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed complained about discomfort in his right leg after bowling eight overs on Friday, December 8. The 25-year-old was taken off the field as a result.

"Following his complaint, Abrar was sent for a MRI scan. Further details will be shared in due course, after medical panel assess the MRI reports," a release by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said.

Abrar Ahmed has bowled a total of 27 overs so far 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, which is set to take place from December 14 2023 to January 7 2024.

Abrar Ahmed the joint highest wicket-taker during Pakistan's Test series against Sri Lanka earlier this year. Pakistan's newly appointed Test captain Shan Masood is hoping for a stellar performance from Abrar in the upcoming series.

"Spinners are crucial and we've seen that with the Australian team, how good Nathan Lyon has been for a number of years," Masood has said.

"A spinner plays an important role, he's very complimentary to the fast bowlers in these conditions. Abrar has done really well for us, he's taken a lot of wickets against good sides and we'll be hoping he does the same on this tour."

In case Abrar Ahmed's injury is severe and he is ruled out of the first Test, Pakistan could be forced to play 37-year-old left-arm spinner Noman Ali, and rely on the part-time spin bowling of Saud Shakeel and Agha Salman.