Pakistan faces a setback as fast bowler Khurram Shazad is set to miss the rest of the ongoing Test series against Australia due to injury.
Shazad, who impressed with a five-wicket haul and dismissed Steve Smith twice in the first Test in Perth, reported left side soreness, leading to scans revealing a stress fracture in his left 10th rib and an abdominal muscle tear.
In an official statement released on Thursday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the unfortunate news without specifying the expected recovery duration for the 24-year-old pacer.
The statement outlined Shazad’s discomfort during the initial Test and disclosed plans for consultation with a specialist in Australia to determine a comprehensive management protocol.
Upon finalizing the management plan, Khurram Shazad will return to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore for continued injury management and rehabilitation.
This leaves Pakistan with the challenging task of finding a suitable replacement for Shazad, whose absence will be keenly felt as the team strives to regain momentum in the remaining Tests in Melbourne and Sydney.
Potential replacements in the form of backup fast bowlers Hasan Ali and Mohammad Wasim Jnr are being considered, given their presence in Australia as part of the touring party.
With star pacer Naseem Shah already sidelined due to injury, the team management faces a crucial decision in ensuring a formidable bowling lineup for the upcoming matches.
