Pakistan quick to miss rest of series
Impressive Pakistan debutant Khurram Shahzad sustained a stress fracture during the Perth Test and has been ruled out of the final two matches in a major blow for the tourists.
The 24-year-old quick reported pain in his left side during the first Test and was sent for an MRI scan on Wednesday that revealed a stress fracture and an abdominal muscle tear.
The injury toll for the visitors continues to mount after tearaway quick Naseem Shah failed to recover from a shoulder injury in time for the series, and spinner Abrar Ahmed missed the first Test due to a right-leg injury and remains in doubt for Boxing Day.
Shahzad would have been an important cog in Pakistan’s attack on an MCG pitch expected to favour the seamers after he claimed 3-45 in an impressive second-innings performance on debut in Perth.
“He’s out of the Test series and I think he’s going back home,” teammate Saud Shakeel said.
“I think he bowled really well. I’m really sad for him that he got injured, but I think that’s part of the game, you have to move on from this.
“We have a couple of good bowlers as well, Mir Hamza and Hasan Ali. I think they can get wickets in this Melbourne Test.”
Hasan, 29, is the most likely inclusion for the tourists, who can also turn to Hamza or Mohammad Wasim Jr, both of whom have only played two Tests for two wickets each at averages exceeding 100.
All-rounders Faheem Ashraf and Salman Ali Agha could come under pressure for their spots after failing to have an impact with the ball in the first Test.