Pakistan’s miserable form from World Cup 2023 continues with Shan Masood and co getting off to a bad start in the PAK vs AUS Test series. To add to their misery, the team has also seen multiple injuries – both before and after the 1st Test at Perth – owing to which they can’t possibly field their best side at MCG or SCG. After the thrashing Pakistan received at the hands of Cummins & co in the 1st Test, Pakistan will take on Australia in the 2nd Test on Boxing Day (December 26).
Injury woes pile up for PAK ahead of 2nd Test
Pacer Khurram Shahzad, who made an impressive debut in the first Test, will miss the remainder of the Test series. Shahzad complained of soreness during bowling in the 1st Test following which he was sent for scans and was then ruled out of the series.
The next on the injured list is spinner Noman Ali, Ali was diagonosed with appendicitis and hence was ruled out for the remainder of the games. His fellow spinner Abrar Ahmed was the latest to join the long list of injured in the Pakistan team. Ahmed missed the 1st game at Perth owing to discomfort and was to be fit in time for the 2nd game, which isn’t the case.
While Mohammad Nawaz was called as the backup for Nomal Ali. Fiery young Shahzad’s void can be filled in by Mohammad Wasim Jr or Hasan Ali.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan, meanwhile, made the most of his time at the centre in thew practice game, attempting to cement his spot in the playing XI for the Boxing Day Test. Rizwan was left out of the 1st Test as Perth.
Rizwan is likely to get a spot in the XI ahead of the veteran Sarfaraz Ahmed. The former Pakistan skipper had a rather miserable 1st Test, barely managing to score seven runs in two innings.
Pakistan will go with the same top-order while expecting them to go all guns blazing in the 2nd Test, unlike the one in Perth. The addition of Rizwan might give the batting-line up more firepower.
PAK predicted playing XI
- 1. Abdhullah Shafique
- 2. Imam-ul-Haq
- 3. Shan Masood (c)
- 4. Babar Azam
- 5. Saud Shakeel
- 6. Mohammad Rizwan (c)
- 7. Agha Salman
- 8. Mohammad Nawaz
- 9. Shaheen Afridi
- 10. Aamer Jamal
- 11. Faheem Ashraf
PAK vs AUS 1st Test
Australia asserted their dominance in the first Test against Pakistan by defeating visitors by 360 runs in Perth. After amassing a substantial lead of 216 runs in 1st innings. And with the pitch showing signs of deterioration, Australia’s solid batting performance pushed Pakistan into a defensive position. Khawaja and Marsh notched up fifties, and after Khawaja’s dismissal at 90, Australia declared, leaving Pakistan with a daunting target of 450 runs.
The Australian bowlers capitalized on the challenging conditions, relentlessly pressuring the Pakistani batters. The day also witnessed a historic achievement as Lyon claimed his 500th Test wicket, marking a remarkable milestone in his career.
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