Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Abbas has been ruled out of the first Test match against South Africa due to injury while Fakhar Zaman has recovered from his injury to be available for selection. Before the Boxing Day Test, Pakistan have been hit by bad news and as well as good news too. Abbas, who suffered a shoulder injury before the third Test against New Zealand, hasn’t recovered fully and will not be able to play the first Test. However, opener Fakhar Zaman who has been out of action due to a knee injury will be available. Meanwhile, Shadab Khan, who is nursing a long-term groin injury, is also unavailable for the opening game of the series.
Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed informed at a press conference on Monday –
“Abbas is not fit for the first Test, hopefully he will be fit for the second Test. Shadab Khan, too, will be back for the second Test, but Fakhar Zaman is fit.” The first Test between South Africa and Pakistan will start on December 26 at Supersport Park.
Pakistan Test squad: Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Azhar Ali, Shan Masood, Haris Sohail, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Sarfraz Ahmed(c), Mohammad Rizwan, Yasir Shah, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Abbas, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Amir, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi.
