Karachi: Pakistan's Muhammed Rizwan is expected to replace Sarfaraz Ahmed as the wicketkeeper for the second Test against Australia among other crucial changes in the squad, Geo News reported Friday.  The five-day Boxing Day Test will begin on December 26 (Tuesday) in Melbourne, a paradise for pacers.

The sources said multiple changes may be witnessed in the Pakistan playing XI in the next match, adding that there will be a tight battle between Hasan Ali and Mir Hamza to make a place in the squad after the exclusion of injured Khurram Shahzad. There was no chance of Wasim Jr’s making inroads into the team for the Melbourne game, said the sources. Meanwhile, Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique will continue to open the innings, they added.

The sources said there was a bright chance of dropping all-rounder Faheem Ashraf and playing off-break bowler Sajid Khan. Meanwhile, Khurram Shahzad is feared to miss this entire cricket season because of an abdominal muscle tear and a stress fracture in his left 10th rib that he suffered during the Perth Test, The News reported Friday, citing the player's medical reports. According to the publication, he will be lucky if he can get well enough to be considered for selection for the T20 World Cup in June 2024.

Earlier, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced that Shahzad will not play the ongoing Test series against Australia.

During the first Test, Shahzad reported feeling uneasy on his left side after which he was sent for an MRI scan after the match.

After speaking with an expert in Australia, the PCB will decide on a final player management protocol. He will then be sent to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore where he will continue his injury management and rehabilitation. Back-to-back injuries in the Pakistan squad have created problems for the team management. Earlier, Abrar Ahmed was ruled out of the first Test against Australia due to a leg injury.

Captain Shan Masood's side is already depleted in attack, with injured Naseem Shah sidelined and Haris Rauf having opted out of the series to play in Australia's T20 Big Bash League. Shahzad's injury was another blow for Pakistan ahead of the second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Published in The Daily National Courier, December, 23 2023

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