Big Blow for Pakistan! Abrar Ahmed hospitalized during Multan Test vs England

Pakistan leg spinner Abrar Ahmed has been ruled out of the ongoing first Test match against England after being hospitalized due to illness.

Abrar Ahmed didn't take the field on the fourth day of the series opener in England's first innings at the Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan on Thursday, October 10.

The England national cricket team started the fourth day's play at 492/3 with Joe Root and Harry Brook at the crease.

The duo played exceptionally well against the Pakistan attack. They posted a total of 823/7 before their declaration and took a 267-run lead after the conclusion of the first innings.

Abrar Ahmed Hospitalized With Fever Ahead Of Day 4 In Multan Test

Abrar Ahmed struggled against the England batters on Day 3 of the Multan Test. He conceded 143 runs without taking a wicket in his 21 overs.

Overall, he bowled a total of 35 overs and conceded 174 runs without taking a wicket, which added to Pakistan's woes in the ongoing Test match in Multan.

It was reported that Abrar was taken to the hospital for treatment and later admitted after a medical examination.

The spinner is suffering from a severe fever, which prevented him from taking the field on Day 4. Abrar has been prescribed medication to reduce his fever and advised to take rest.

Bowling Options For Pakistan Limited - Ramiz Raja

Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja stated on air that the home team’s bowling options were limited on Day 4 due to Abrar being hospitalized. Raja confirmed that Abrar is suffering from a fever and has been hospitalized.

"Bowling options for Pakistan are limited today. Abrar Ahmed has been hospitalized. He's suffering from a fever," Ramiz Raja said on air, as quoted by PakPassion.net on X (formerly known as Twitter).

"Bowling options for Pakistan are limited today. Abrar Ahmed has been hospitalized. He's suffering from a fever. ": Ramiz Raja on air 🗣️#PAKvsENG pic.twitter.com/BR5uPpUEj8

— PakPassion.net (@PakPassion) October 10, 2024

Pakistan skipper Shan Masood used part-time spinners Agha Salman, Saim Ayub, and Saud Shakeel in the absence of Abrar.

On Wednesday, the three part-time spinners bowled a total of nine overs. Agha Salman removed Joe Root on the fourth day, while Saim Ayub got rid of Harry Brook and Gus Atkinson.

Not Been A Good Time To Be A Pakistan Bowler - Alex Hartley

Former England bowler Alex Hartley said that it's been a challenging time for Pakistan's bowlers, particularly with their main spinner, Abrar Ahmed, hospitalized due to a fever.

"It's not been a good time to be a Pakistan bowler, is it? They don't have their frontline spinner Abrar Ahmed today as he is in hospital due to a fever. Joe Root and Harry Brook just before lunch started having some fun in the middle," Alex Hartley said, as quoted by BCC Test Match Special.

Pakistan released spinners Noman Ali and Zahid Mahmood on the first day of the Test against England. The Pakistan Cricket Board has now summoned five spinners for fitness tests ahead of the upcoming second Test in Multan, as they initially announced a squad only for the first Test in this series.

Also read: Watch: Babar Azam drops a sitter to allow Joe Root to score a record-breaking 6th double hundred in Multan Test