PAKISTAN VS NEW ZEALAND IN UAE, 2018

Shoulder injury set to rule Mohammad Abbas out of third New Zealand Test

by Ahsan Iftikhar Nagi • Last updated on

Abbas picked up the injury while diving on the field during the Dubai Test. © Getty

Pakistan pacer Mohammad Abbas has been all but ruled out of the deciding third Test against New Zealand with a shoulder injury. Abbas, 28, injured his right shoulder while diving in the field during Pakistan's series-levelling innings win in Dubai.

A Pakistan Cricket Board spokesperson has told Cricbuzz that Abbas is feeling pain in his bowling shoulder and he was taken for scans on Thursday (November 29). The final decision regarding his inclusion in the playing XI for the third Test and in the squad for the South African tour - which commences with a boxing day Test - will be taken after the final results.

If Abbas is deemed unfit, Pakistan would miss him dearly on the field in Abu Dhabi. His ability to move the ball laterally in almost any condition and on any surface has seen him enjoy the best bowling average of 16.62 amongst Pakistani bowlers since he debuted in April last year. The 28-year-old has played a crucial role in winning Pakistan matches around the world and just last month he became first Pakistan bowler in 12 years to pick up 10 wickets in a Test. Currently, he stands at the second spot, just 10 wickets behind Yasir Shah, in the tally of most wickets amongst Pakistan bowlers since his debut.

His absence can lead to Shaheen Shah Afridi's Test debut. The left-arm pacer is part of the retained 15-member squad, which was initially jotted down for the first two Tests, for the series decider. Afridi has been in prime form picking up wickets at crucial junctures for Pakistan. In the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, that preceded the ongoing Tests, the 18-year-old pacer got Man-of-The-Series award for picking up nine wickets at 11.33 runs apiece. Afridi recently turned out for Pakistan 'A' in a four-day match against England Lions and returned 3 for 50 and 4 for 80.

The other pace option for Pakistan is Mir Hamza. The 26-year-old made his Pakistan debut last month in the second Test against Australia. He picked up only one wicket - of Shaun Marsh with a delivery that left every observer in awe as it clipped the top of the off stump - in the match. The pacer left an impression due to his disciplined bowling.

© Cricbuzz

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