PAK vs AUS: Mohammad Nawaz to replace Noman Ali for remaining 2 Tests, Abrar Ahmed unavailable for 2nd Test

PAK vs AUS: Pakistan national selection committee named Mohammad Nawaz as replacement for Noman Ali who was ruled out of the last two Test matches in Australia after undergoing surgery for acute appendicitis on Saturday, December 23.

Mohammad Nawaz, who is already part of the 17-member T20I squad against New Zealand commencing from 12 January in New Zealand, will fly to Australia on the first available flight.

37-year-old left-arm spinner Noman Ali did not feature in the first Test which Pakistan lost by 360 runs in Perth. Mohammad Nawaz last played a Test match for Pakistan in December 2022 in Multan. The 29-year-old has played a total of six Tests and picked 16 wickets at an average of 31. He has also scored 144 runs at an average of 16.

“It is really unfortunate that Noman Ali is not available for the Test matches. Due to logistical challenges, including visa issues for any new player, and considering the requirement for a left-arm spinner, Nawaz was the best available choice for the side," Wahab Riaz, chief selector men’s cricket team, said

Further, leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed is yet to recover from his right leg injury. There is significant improvement in his condition and he has started to bowl as well, but is not match ready yet. The management is hopeful that Abrar will be available to the side for the third Test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), starting January 3, 2024.

“Abrar Ahmed’s symptoms have significantly improved, and he has started bowling at 50 per cent intensity,” the PCB said in a brief press release.

“Although he has worked really well since his diagnosis in Canberra, he still is not 100 per cent asymptomatic.

"Considering the nature of the injury and the workload required from a spinner in a Test match, Abrar is not yet ready and will therefore not be available for the second Test.

“He will undergo a preliminary fitness test on 25 December, which will determine his probable return-to-play date," the statement added.

Notable, pacer Khurram Shazad has also been ruled out of the Test series due to abdominal muscle tear and a stress fracture in his left rib while bowling in the first Test.