PAK vs AUS: Australia's Spin Consultant Fawad Ahmed Tests Covid-19 Positive Ahead Of First Test

The Australian team have been dealt with a huge blow ahead of the first Test against Pakistan starting from March 4 in Rawalpindi. Spin consultant Fawad Ahmed, who was fresh off a PSL season with Lahore Qalandars has rested Covid positive. He is on a five-day isolation period and will be released only if he returns with two negative test results. 

Fawad Ahmed said that he was experiencing mild symptoms after which he was tested positive. The rest of the Australian touring contingent has tested negative in their routine testing. The news comes in after Haris Rauf, the Pakistan pacer was ruled out of the first Test after contracting the virus. 

Fawad Ahmed Was A Part Of Lahore Qalandars In PSL 2022

Fawad was appointed as Australia’s spin consultant for the series against Pakistan after Australia’s regular subcontinent spin consultant Sridharan Sriram was unable to secure a Visa for the Pakistan tour. Meanwhile, the spinner also shared a picture of him sitting beside Shaheen Afridi following the PSL final, while Rauf was also on that flight.

?? Vs ?? HONAY DO ?? ??
PSL7 Done Dusted ? ??
Islamabad Bound ?
we spent some amazing time together both on and off the field @iShaheenAfridi @lahoreqalandars
but now we gonna part ways,
let’s bring on the historic Test Series @TheRealPCB @CricketAus #PakvsAus #Testseries22 pic.twitter.com/fLtZAoUtlu

— Fawad Ahmed (@bachaji23) February 28, 2022

Both teams are down to their preparations for the first Test. Former Pakistan skipper Salman Butt believes that the Australian batting unit will be tested by the Pakistan bowling unit.

A few ? from training in Rawalpindi ahead of the first #PAKvAUS Test, starting on Friday

Credit: Cricket Australia / Getty Images pic.twitter.com/1wYgnQrllO

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) March 2, 2022

“It will be a test for Australian batting. The pitch will be slower compared to that in Australia and there will be grip on offer. They will need to show adjustments there,” said Butt.

Nathan Lyon, the Australian spinner has also shared his reaction after having a look at the Rawalpindi pitch. The pitch was flat with no grass and Lyon felt it resembled like the spin-friendly pitches in the UAE. 

“The (Test) surface looks similar to a UAE wicket at the moment. There’s not much grass on it, I daresay it’s going to be pretty shiny come day one.

“So I’m expecting it to be pretty nice to bat on for the first couple of days then look for it to hopefully spin, and reverse swing may come into it,” said the veteran Australian spinner.

Also Read: PAK vs AUS: Salman Butt Unwilling To See Shaheen Afridi Become Next Pakistan Captain