South Africa vs Pakistan 2018/19: Mohammad Abbas Ruled Out Of Centurion Test

Ahead of the Centurion Test, the visitors, Pakistan has been struck with a major blow, as they lost their match-winner, Mohammad Abbas for the first Test of the series. The pacer, who suffered a shoulder injury before the third Test against New Zealand, hasn’t recovered fully, Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed informed at a press conference on Monday.

After assessing, both, leg-spinner Shadab Khan and fast-bowler Mohammad Abbas failed to get a fit certificate.  Pakistan team management has agreed that the two are not fit for the first Test match. The first Test begins on December 26 in Centurion.

Fakhar Zaman is fit – Sarfraz Ahmed

Leg-spinner Shadab Khan’s groin injury continues to hamper his career. He is unavailable for selection. However, opening batsman Fakhar Zaman is available after being sidelined due to a knee injury in the recently-concluded series.

“Abbas is not fit for the first Test. Hopefully, he will be fit for the second Test,” Sarfraz said. “Shadab Khan, too, will be back for the second Test, but Fakhar Zaman is fit.”

The team management is in a positive state. who said that they will be available for selection for the second Test. It will be played in Cape Town that begins in January. Meanwhile, they will continue with their current rehabilitation program to get fit in time.

As per the reports, it comes to know that both the players were included in the squad for the tour despite the fact that they were not fully fit. Though they were not fit at the time of their selection, they have been picked by the board.

On the other hand, South Africa is also battling fitness issues with seamer Vernon Philander, who ruled out of the opening Test due to a fractured finger while pacer Lungi Ngidi has been sidelined for a long duration due to a knee injury.