Mohammad Nawaz Replaces Noman Ali; Here's Pakistan's Updated Squad For Australia Tests

Mohammad Nawaz | Source: X.com

Pakistan left-arm orthodox spinner Noman Ali has been ruled out of the remainder of the Test series against Australia due to acute appendicitis. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has named Mohammad Nawaz as his replacement. 

The 29-year-old left-arm spinner, Nawaz, part of the 17-member T20I squad for New Zealand from January 12, will hop on the first available flight to Australia and is likely to be a part of the Boxing Day Test.

Here’s what Wahab Riaz, the chief selector of the Pakistan men's cricket team, said on the development: 

“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.”

Earlier, Khurram Shahzad, who took match figures of 5-128 in his stellar Test debut in Perth, was ruled out for the remainder of the series with a rib stress fracture and muscle tear on Thursday. 

Initially picked as the backup spinner to Abrar Ahmed, Noman's unavailability leaves Sajid Khan as the lone fit spinner in the Pakistan squad currently. 

Notably, Sajid, the right-arm off-spinner, was rushed in when Abrar Ahmed got injured before the 1st Test match.

The Boxing Day Test is set to take place at the legendary Melbourne Cricket Ground. Following a massive loss in the first Test at Perth, Pakistan faces an uphill battle to stage a comeback in the series. 

Notably, Pakistan has lost its last 15 Tests in Australia, and their last victory against them came in 1995 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. 

Pakistan's Updated Squad For Australia Tests

Shan Masood (C), Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Saim Ayub, Sarfaraz Ahmed (WK), Saud Shakeel, Aamer Jamal, Agha Salman, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim, Sajid Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Shaheen Afridi

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