PAK vs AUS: Pakistan Taking Cautious Approach With Abrar Ahmed Ahead Of 3rd Test - Reports

The Pakistani cricket team are hoping that leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed will get fit for the third Test against Australia starting from January 3, 2024, as per reports. Abrar sustained a leg injury while playing a practice match against Australia’s Prime Ministers XI and was ruled out from the first two Tests. However, it has been reported that Abrar has bowled in the Pakistan nets without any issues and may get fit for the New Year’s Test.

As per a report by ESPNcricinfo, Abrar Ahmed‘s main issue is with the pain and his weak leg muscles. Abrar was given injections for the initial process of his treatment and the Pakistani team management will eye his progress for the next 12 hours.

Will Abrar Ahmed play the third Test against Australia?

Abrar Ahmed’s participation in the third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground depends totally on how he feels a day ahead of the Test match. The way the Pakistani team is cautious about Abrar Ahmed’s fitness doesn’t guarantee that he will get fit for the third Test. The Pakistani management might think of a backup plan if Abrar Ahmed is once again ruled out from the third Test.

While giving a medical update on Abrar Ahmed’s fitness, PCB had declared that his symptoms have improved though the young leg spinner is still not fit to play the second Test in Melbourne. The Pakistan team management is also trying to manage Abrar’s workload as he is one of the prime spinners in the current Pakistan team setup.

Abrar Ahmed is also part of the T20I squad against New Zealand and the team would want him to be fit for the upcoming all-important tour.

However, Pakistan have also kept backups Mohammad Nawaz and Sajid Khan ready for the third Test and they also bowled a few overs in the nets on Monday.

Apart from Shadab Khan, Yasir Shah has been the only spinner who was able to top the charts for Pakistan in the red-ball format, however, his form deteriorated due to which he was sent out of the team. On the other hand, Shadab has only restricted himself to white-ball cricket but in recent times, the leg spinner has not been able to perform there as well.

On the other hand, Abrar Ahmed, who made his Test debut for Pakistan in December last year picked up a fifer on his debut and became the 13th Pakistani bowler to do so. Since then, he has played six Tests and has picked up 38 wickets.

Spinners might play a vital role on Australian pitches and Australia spinner Nathan Lyon is a prime example of the same. Lyon has picked up nine wickets from two games whereas Pakistan only used Agha Salman as a spinner in the first two Tests and has picked up only one wicket.

The Pakistani team are yet to win a Test match in Australia in the last 24 years and have lost 16 matches in a row. The Shan Masood-led side will want to end the streak in Sydney.