In a blow to Pakistan’s cricket team, pacer Khurram Shazad will play no further part in the ongoing Test series against Australia due to a combination of a stress fracture in his left 10th rib and an abdominal muscle tear. The news comes as a setback for the team, especially considering Shazad’s impactful debut in the first ICC World Test Championship match against Australia in Perth.
The 24-year-old right-arm fast bowler complained of soreness in his left side during the first Test, and subsequent scans revealed the extent of the injuries. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) released a statement on Thursday, stating, “Khurram Shahzad has been ruled out of the Test series against Australia with a stress fracture of his left 10th rib and an abdominal muscle injury.”
“The statement further explained that Khurram Shazad would consult with a specialist in Australia to establish a final management protocol for his injuries. Following this consultation, he will return to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore, where he will undergo further injury management and rehabilitation”.
Khurram Shazad made a significant impact during his debut in the first Test, picking up five wickets and claiming the prized scalp of Australian batting maestro Steve Smith in both innings. His absence in the remaining two Tests in Melbourne and Sydney will undoubtedly be felt, leaving a void in Pakistan’s bowling lineup.
“As the team looks to regroup and find momentum in the series, attention turns to potential replacements. With the experienced pacer Naseem Shah already sidelined due to injury, the responsibility falls on backup quicks Hasan Ali and Mohammad Wasim Jr. Both are part of the touring party and are in Australia, making them the most likely candidates to fill the void left by Shazad”.
The absence of Khurram Shazad adds an element of challenge for Pakistan, requiring the team to recalibrate its strategy and bowling combinations. As the series unfolds, cricket enthusiasts will keenly watch how Pakistan adapts to this setback and whether the replacement bowlers can step up to the challenge in their bid to compete against the formidable Australian side.
