Pakistan’s damage woes went from unhealthy to worse Sunday with off-spinner Abrar Ahmed the third participant in as many days to be dominated out of the second Test towards Australia. Ahmed missed their 360-run defeat in Perth with leg discomfort, and whereas enhancing, he has not recovered sufficiently to participate within the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne. “Considering the nature of the injury and the workload required from a spinner in a Test match, Abrar is not yet ready and will therefore not be available for the second Test,” the Pakistan Cricket Board mentioned.

“He will undergo a preliminary fitness test on December 25, which will determine his probable return-to-play date.”

It follows fellow spinner Noman Ali being hospitalised with acute appendicitis and dominated out of the remainder of the three-match sequence.

Mohammad Nawaz has been drafted as a substitute, the PCB mentioned.

Pace bowler Khurram Shahzad is one other damage casualty, sidelined for the final two Tests with a stress fracture within the ribs together with an stomach muscle tear after impressing on his debut in Perth.

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