PAKISTAN TOUR OF SOUTH AFRICA, 2018-19

Abbas ruled out of Boxing Day Test; Fakhar available

by Cricbuzz Staff • Last updated on

"Abbas is not fit for the first Test, hopefully he will be fit for the second Test" - Sarfraz © Getty

Mohammad Abbas, Pakistan pacer, has been ruled out of the first Test against South Africa, set to begin on Wednesday (December 26). The pacer, who suffered a shoulder injury before the third Test against New Zealand, hasn't recovered fully, Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed informed at a press conference on Monday.

Legspinner Shadab Khan, who is nursing a long-term groin injury, is also unavailable for the opening game of the series. The good news, however, is that Fakhar Zaman, who has been out of action due to a knee injury, will be available.

"Abbas is not fit for the first Test, hopefully he will be fit for the second Test," Sarfraz said. "Shadab Khan, too, will be back for the second Test, but Fakhar Zaman is fit."

With Shadab and Abbas unavailable, Pakistan are left with only Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Faheem Ashraf and Yasir Shah to choose from in the bowling department. In all likelihood, all five of them will play the Boxing Day Test in Centurion.

© Cricbuzz

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